ST. LOUIS — A 14-year-old boy was charged as an adult Tuesday with killing a woman during a 48-hour crime spree last year that included nine carjackings, two ATM robberies and the shooting death of a woman.
Brian Wellington, of Overland, is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted robbery and two counts of armed criminal action in the death of 38-year-old Kay Johnson in the 4700 block of Compton Avenue.
Charging documents say Wellington and another boy, Deshaun Harris, were riding in a stolen 2019 Nissan sedan on Jan. 24, 2023, when they got out and approached Johnson’s vehicle. Both boys were armed, and Johnson’s daughter was in the car, too.
Wellington approached the driver’s side while Harris walked up to the passenger’s window. They ordered Johnson to get out of the car, but when she didn’t, Harris shot her in the head, charges say.
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A third boy was arrested by police and admitted he had been involved in multiple carjackings over a two-day period and identified Harris and Wellington.
Police found a gun outside Harris’ bedroom window that matched the type of gun that killed Johnson, court documents say. They also found two handguns on Wellington that may have used during the robberies.
Police said last year that nearly every detective in the city was working on the case of a group of teens who were carjacking, robbing and shooting their way through south St. Louis.
On Jan. 26, 2023 — two days after Johnson was killed — police followed a stolen black Ford Fusion that fled from officers. Police eventually used spike strips to stop it on 14th Street, just south of Cass Avenue, but the car kept going.
The Fusion eventually crashed into a Kia at 20th Street and Delmar Avenue before hitting a tree. The driver of the car ran away but was arrested two blocks later. A 16-year-old boy was stuck in the vehicle and freed by firefighters. An 18-year-old was also arrested near the scene.
About a month later, police arrested a 13-year-old who was being held on first-degree murder and robbery charges. A 14-year-old was being held on second-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges.
Their names were not released at the time because they were minors.
But in December Harris was certified by a juvenile court judge to stand trial as an adult on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
He was then indicted in January on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action. He is being held without bond.
Wellington was also ordered to be held without bond.