Two men charged in Claudell Lane homicide, one juvenile in custody
Two men have been officially charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 33-year-old Keith Chambers.
According to charging documents, Brian Smith and Dariel Reid, both 18, were involved in a drug deal that ended in the shooting death of Keith Chambers but according to police, neither fired the shot that killed him.
Police say they arrived at Claudell Lane at about noon Thursday in reference to a gunshot victim. Officers said they found two people with gunshot wounds. Chambers had a gunshot wound in the chest and Reid was shot in the arm. Both were taken to the University Hospital for treatment. Chambers died from his injuries.
The probable cause statement for Reid states officers located four people associated with Chambers and interviewed them. Three were identified by initial only and one was Brian Smith.
According to police, one of the people detained told officers Chambers wanted to buy marijuana and Smith said he knew where to get it. The witness said Smith and Reid arranged a meeting.
The three detainees plus Smith and Chambers went to Reid’s house to buy the drugs.
Police interviewed Reid and said he confirmed Smith contacted him about buying the marijuana and Reid said he agreed to sell it. Reid and a juvenile friend, who is 16-years-old and was also arrested on charges of murder, went to their vehicle to get the marijuana.
According to police, Smith and Chambers disputed the weight of the marijuana, so the two went into Reid’s house to weigh it. Reid said Chambers pulled a gun and attempted to steal the drugs. Then Smith grabbed the marijuana and Chambers shot Reid. The 16-year-old shot Chambers.
Prosecutors recommended a $1 million cash bond for Smith and a $50,000 cash bond for Reid.
Reid is also charged with drug distribution. Smith is charged with robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and drug distribution. The 16-year-old faces a second-degree murder charge, drug distribution, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.
According to Missouri law, if a person is present during a drug deal that results in a death that person can be charged with murder even if they didn’t kill anyone.
