Background: Law enforcement investigate the scene of a fatal shooting in St. Louis, Missouri (KMOV/YouTube). Inset: Marvin Byrd (St. Louis City Justice Center).
A man in St. Louis, Missouri, is accused of shooting and killing his roommate as they were on their way to watch college football because the roommate did not help pay for drugs.
Marvin Byrd, 54, has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, and felony resisting arrest. He was arrested on Saturday, the same day the shooting took place.
According to a probable cause statement reviewed by Law&Crime, Byrd and his roommate – who has not been named – left their home on Saturday “to join a small gathering to watch college football.” However, Byrd allegedly became “agitated” at the man with whom he shared a home.
The source of his agitation? A “perceived lack of financial contribution to the household and recreational drug expenses,” the court document states. Byrd is accused of proceeding to shoot his roommate in the street, placing his Sig Sauer P320 handgun on the ground, and sitting in his vehicle until police arrived.
Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.
An eyewitness is said to have heard the shooting on Henner Avenue in north St. Louis and witnessed Byrd “standing in the street with the firearm while [the victim] was on the ground. He affirmed that the defendant was the only one he saw with a firearm.” No other weapon was found.
Though Byrd reportedly waited in his vehicle for responding law enforcement, once officers did arrive, he allegedly “fought” against being handcuffed. Finally, he was arrested, read his Miranda rights, and interviewed – where police say he offered several different statements.
Byrd claimed his roommate was being verbally “reckless” and that the man “charged at him,” the affidavit states. The suspect later said that the shooting “was an accident” and a result of “a long build-up of frustration” with the roommate.
Surveillance footage from a nearby door camera assisted in the police investigation. Video from local CBS affiliate KMOV apparently showed investigators tracking bullet casings on the ground at the crime scene.
Officers also noted how Byrd had a prior conviction for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Court records show Byrd was arrested at around 11 p.m. on Saturday. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15.
