ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Authorities have identified the man fatally shot by airport police officers during an early morning incident at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Nov. 21, 2025.
The deceased has been named as 31-year-old Darius Kennedy of Peoria, according to a statement from the St. Louis County Police Department released Monday. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. in Terminal 1 when officers conducting routine security checks encountered Kennedy armed with a knife.
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Officers instructed Kennedy to drop the weapon, but he refused and was subsequently tased by one officer. When Kennedy continued advancing toward the officers, a second officer fired his service weapon, striking him. Kennedy was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or bystanders were injured.
The two officers involved have prior law enforcement experience and have been with the STL Airport Police for six months and one year, respectively. The St. Louis County Police Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is leading the investigation, which remains active.
Detectives believe Kennedy was unhoused at the time of the incident. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact investigators at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-866-371-TIPS.
Additional details will be released as the investigation progresses.
