Tragic End to Armed Carjacking in St. Louis: High-Speed Police Chase Ends in Fatal Crash That Kills Innocent Driver, Five Suspects Including Juveniles Arrested, Guns Recovered from Stolen Vehicle

ST. LOUIS, MO – April 13, 2025 — A tragic chain of events unfolded Sunday night in North St. Louis after an armed carjacking escalated into a deadly crash that claimed the life of an innocent woman. Authorities from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) are investigating the fatal incident, which involved a stolen vehicle, a high-speed pursuit, and multiple suspects, including juveniles.

Carjacking Sparks Police Manhunt

At approximately 8:30 p.m., a woman was approached by a group of armed individuals in the 700 block of Belt Avenue, near Enright. The suspects brandished firearms and forced the victim out of her Nissan sedan before fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle. The victim, though physically unharmed, was left traumatized as police were called to the area to take her report and begin their search for the carjackers.

Real-Time Tracking Leads Police to Suspects

Thanks to the efforts of the Real-Time Crime Center, law enforcement quickly began tracking the stolen Nissan as it was spotted at various locations throughout North St. Louis. About 20 minutes later, a Mobile Reserve officer located the vehicle traveling near Natural Bridge and Goodfellow.

The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Natural Bridge and Belt Avenue, but the driver of the Nissan accelerated, leading police on a brief but dangerous pursuit.

High-Speed Chase Ends in Fatal Collision

Mere moments after fleeing the attempted stop, the driver of the stolen vehicle crashed the Nissan into a Hyundai sedan at high speed. The crash occurred with such force that the woman driving the Hyundai was killed on impact, according to officials on the scene. Her name has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.

The stolen Nissan was significantly damaged, but five suspects—two adults and three juveniles—were taken into custody at the scene. Remarkably, none of the suspects sustained life-threatening injuries, and all were transported for medical evaluation before being taken into custody for questioning.

Weapons Recovered from Stolen Vehicle

During a search of the stolen car, two real firearms and one replica weapon were recovered. Investigators noted that one of the real guns had been modified, and the replica firearm had been outfitted to resemble a functioning, lethal weapon—underscoring the threat posed during the carjacking and subsequent police encounter.

Photographs released by SLMPD show the confiscated firearms, highlighting the growing concern over young individuals using increasingly realistic fake weapons in criminal activity.

Ongoing Investigation and Broader Concerns

The Force Investigations Unit of the SLMPD responded to the scene and is leading the investigation. The case has intensified public concern about the spike in juvenile involvement in violent crime, particularly offenses involving stolen vehicles, firearms, and reckless behavior leading to tragic outcomes.

At this time, police have not released the names of the suspects or the deceased victim. Charges are expected to be filed once the investigation progresses further.

Community Outrage and Police Response

Sunday night’s fatal incident is the latest in a string of violent encounters involving youth suspects and stolen cars that have rocked St. Louis neighborhoods in recent months. City leaders and residents have repeatedly called for more focused efforts on crime prevention, youth intervention programs, and improved accountability.

Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the carjacking or crash to contact the SLMPD or submit tips anonymously through CrimeStoppers.

What’s Next

The SLMPD and the city of St. Louis continue to grapple with the broader implications of this incident. As community members mourn the loss of yet another innocent life, law enforcement is expected to provide updates in the coming days regarding the identities of those involved, possible charges, and preventative measures being considered to curb the surge in youth-led carjackings and violent crimes.

will provide continuous coverage as more information becomes available.