ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office (CAO) announced on Friday that the officer who shot and killed a 17-year-old in 2024 will not be prosecuted.

Emeshyon Wilkins was shot and killed by a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officer on June 18, 2024.

In a release sent on Friday, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore announced that after a review of the SLMPD's Force Investigation Unit, there is not enough evidence to prove that the officer's choice was  objectively unreasonable,  and charges will not be issued.

According to the CAO, they received the file on October 20, 2025, and the office began the investigation in April 2026. They say they review use-of-force investigations in the order they receive them.

The family of Wilkins released the police body camera footage of the shooting in April 2026.

The video shows the officer giving orders to Wilkins to drop the gun and then fire his own. Wilkins then falls to the ground before officers handcuff him.

In total, four seconds pass from the time the officer makes his first command to when he shoots his gun. Wilkins appears to have been shot in the back.

Investigators say a gun was found in Wilkins' pocket.

WARNING: The following video contains graphic images; viewer discretion is advised.

The lawyer for Wilkins' family, Albert Watkins, said the decision is  An act of appalling incompetence and a demonstration of the [highest] order of weakness. 

A spokesperson for SLMPD released the following statement on the decision:

 Any use of deadly force is serious and has lasting consequences for everyone involved and our community. No officer begins a shift expecting to face a situation where deadly force may be used. We respect the independent role of the Circuit Attorney's Office and its decision following a review of the evidence gathered during the months-long investigation, which found the officer was in fear of the lives of others. With the Circuit Attorney's review now complete, the SLMPD Internal Affairs Division will begin its administrative review of the incident to determine whether departmen

#firstalert4   #crimewatchstlouis