ST. LOUIS – Charges have been filed against a man for the 2019 fatal shooting of a seven-year-old boy in the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood, years after prosecutors said they had insufficient evidence to make a case.
Xavier Usanga was playing in the yard with his sisters on the 3500 block of North 11th Street on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, when he was struck in the neck by a bullet. An 18-year-old was critically injured after suffering a gunshot wound to his chest.
Investigators found 14 shell casings at the scene and learned they’d all been fired by the same gun. Witnesses and audio from business surveillance cameras helped police determine six shots were fired, followed by a brief pause, and then an additional eight shots.
Surveillance video from a nearby business showed the suspect, Malik D. Ross, in the area and armed with a handgun and bulletproof vest. Police received a tip that Ross worked at armored car company Garda World.
Ross was initially arrested days after the shooting when police said he turned on his cell phone.
At the time, federal court documents stated Ross admitted to firing the shot that killed Usanga. A probable cause statement from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said Ross told investigators he was shooting at the 18-year-old victim and another person.
Ross stole $50,000 from Garda World in an attempt to leave town and disposed of the firearm.
At the time, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner declined to press charges, saying her office had been “unable to determine who is legally responsible for the death of Xavier” based on the evidence available. She also called into question Ross’ confession, adding that it has not been supported by physical evidence or eyewitness accounts.
But on Thursday, Sept. 11, city prosecutors charged Ross, now 29, with first-degree murder, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child – death of a child, and first-degree assault.
Ross was convicted in federal court for stealing from Garda World and remains imprisoned.
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