A man who is already in jail for a fatal shooting on the Eads Bridge in January 2024 is now facing charges for another murder that took place one month earlier. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2023, in the parking lot outside of Neat Restaurant and Bar in the 11200 block of West Florissant Avenue.
Three men were found in the parking lot with gunshot wounds after an altercation that started in the bar and escalated into violence outside. None of the individuals involved were armed at the beginning of the fight. All three men were taken to the hospital, with two of them sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, the third victim, Kenneth Covington, passed away at the hospital. Covington was 33 years old.
After a thorough investigation by homicide detectives, Jermel X. Williams was identified as the individual responsible for shooting Covington. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Williams with first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault. An arrest warrant was issued on Oct. 31, 2024, but Williams is currently in custody in St. Louis City for the Eads Bridge shooting.
In the Eads Bridge incident, Williams and another man were charged with the fatal shooting of Harley Branscomb from Moberly on Jan. 28, 2024. Branscomb, who was 22 years old, lost his life in the shooting. Approximately six weeks later, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office brought additional charges against Williams, including first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
The authorities are working diligently to ensure that justice is served in both cases, and the community is looking for closure and peace after these tragic events. It is crucial for law enforcement to continue investigating such crimes to maintain public safety and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. The families and friends of the victims are seeking answers and hoping for a resolution that brings them some semblance of comfort and justice.
