Earl Murray

Earl Murray was shot and killed in the St. Louis area during a June 12, 2000 federal and local police drug-sting operation; his unarmed passenger Ronald Beasley was also killed.

What happened

On June 12, 2000, a planned drug transaction at a Jack in the Box location in the St. Louis area brought federal DEA and local law-enforcement officers into contact with Earl Murray and his passenger Ronald Beasley. Officers surrounded the vehicle. Accounts compiled by Fatal Encounters describe Murray backing into an unmarked police SUV and trying to move his car forward, after which officers positioned in front fired at the vehicle. Both men died. The record describes twenty-one shots and says neither man had a firearm. Murray's family and the broader community sought answers about the extreme decision to shoot into a car containing two people.

Investigation & findings

Fatal Encounters attributes the deaths to gunfire by DEA and Dellwood-area officers during the sting; this source alone does not establish individual criminal convictions or a full final disciplinary disposition. Verify the original Riverfront Times reporting and jurisdiction before adding a definitive outcome.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records