Shooter On The Loose After Being Charged With Baden Murder

ST. LOUIS, MO — Eugene Phillip Hampton, 54, has been charged with murder for the shooting of 44-year-old Rodrick Pitts Wednesday in the north city's Baden neighborhood, the Post-Dispatch reports. As of Friday, he was not in custody.

Police say Hampton shot Rodrick in the 800 block of Elias Avenue, just west of Hickey Park around 7:30 p.m. Rodrick was not responsive when officers arrived and was pronounced dead soon thereafter.

Witness reports initially indicated that Hampton had barricaded himself in a nearby house, but a police SWAT team searched the house and did not find him. As of Friday, he had not been arrested.

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Anyone with information should contact St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers toll free at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). All callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward. Tips can also be submitted through the CrimeStoppers website or free app.

As in every case, charges are merely accusations, not proof of guilt.

Read more from the Post-Dispatch.

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