St. Louis man could be charged with murder after killing suspect

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A St. Louis man could face murder charges after opening fire on two men who allegedly stole his pickup truck at a convenience store, killing one of the men as he sped away from the scene.

The 18-year-old year man shot and killed 23-year-old Morio Claiborne, according to police. No charges have been filed, and authorities aren't releasing the gunman's name, police spokeswoman Schron Jackson said Thursday.

Police Chief Joe Mokwa said Wednesday night that murder charges were likely in the case. He said the gunman didn't have a permit to carry a firearm and didn't appear to be justified in opening fire.

Mokwa said police don't doubt that Claiborne and his accomplice were engaged in an unarmed car theft, "but it doesn't justify shooting and killing him," Mokwa told KSDK-TV.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office is reviewing the case to see if there is enough evidence to file homicide charges, said Chief Warrant Officer Jeannette Graviss. She said the 18-year-old man was arrested shortly after the shooting, but would be released from jail while prosecutors considered whether to charge him.

Authorities said the 18-year-old pulled into a BP station around midnight Tuesday to fill up his Dodge Dakota pickup. He left the car running, and went inside.

That's when Claiborne and another man allegedly tried to steal the truck. Police said Claiborne's accomplice got into the truck and sped off while Claiborne got into a white Hyundai and followed.

When the pickup owner came out, he saw the vehicles speeding away and opened fire. A shot hit Claiborne in the back and he crashed his car shortly afterward, according to police. He died at the hospital three hours later.

A man who allegedly stole the pickup truck was arrested Wednesday, but charges have not yet been filed against him, Graviss said.