ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A devastating shooting has left the community in shock after a 17-year-old lost his life following a verbal altercation late Friday night. Authorities confirmed that the victim, Damonte Hightower, was fatally shot in the 11000 block of Larimore Road.

According to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, 23-year-old Nykelte Wilburn has been charged with second-degree murder and multiple related offenses. Court documents reveal that police responded around 10:37 p.m. on August 29, 2025, after receiving a ShotSpotter alert. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Wilburn shooting Hightower after a brief exchange of words.

Witnesses rushed Hightower to a nearby hospital, where he tragically passed away at 12:17 a.m. on August 30. Wilburn was identified through both eyewitness accounts and surveillance video evidence.

Prosecutors have also charged Wilburn with two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon (shooting from a motor vehicle), and failure to report a shooting. He is currently being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact local law enforcement.