ST. LOUIS - On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges against suspect Cortez Cooper, 45 years of age, of the 5400 block of College Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 63136, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Tampering with Physical Evidence in Felony Prosecution.
Cooper is being held on a $150,000 cash-only, no 10% bond.
The probable cause statement reads: While investigating a homicide, detectives observed and seized multiple spent .380-caliber shell casings near the victim's body at the scene. The investigation of that homicide led them to the defendant as a person of interest.
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"Further investigation uncovered home surveillance footage where Defendant is recorded stating words to the effect that he was in possession of a .380-caliber firearm. Defendant then stated words to the effect that he discarded the firearm. Officers were unable to locate the firearm despite an organized search effort."
St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are handling this investigation.
Please note, charges are merely an accusation, and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
