James Carter Obituary, Death: St. Louis police ID suspect killed in shootout, tied to three homicide victims

James Carter Obituary, Death – Authorities in St. Louis have identified the man killed during a shootout with law enforcement officers last week, along with three people who were found dead in connection with the incident. The suspect, identified as 61-year-old James Carter of St. Louis, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with a St. Louis Metropolitan Police officer and a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The three individuals believed to have been victims in the case were also identified by police. They include 57-year-old Tyrone Mason and 34-year-old Ariel Eastling, both of St. Louis, and 58-year-old James Rodriguez from Kinloch, Missouri. Investigators believe all three deaths are homicides and are connected to Carter.

The incident unfolded in the early morning hours of Friday, May 9, when police were alerted to gunfire through a ShotSpotter alert near a residence in the 5100 block of Wells Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered one man—later identified as one of the homicide victims—lying dead near the front porch of the home.

Due to the seriousness of the situation, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department requested assistance from the ATF. Their agents were called in to help secure a search warrant for the property and gather evidence related to the initial homicide.

At approximately 7 a.m., several hours after the initial police response, James Carter emerged from the residence and briefly spoke with officers stationed outside. However, rather than surrendering, Carter returned inside the home and shortly thereafter reappeared with a firearm. According to law enforcement, Carter began shooting at the officers, triggering a gun battle.

During the exchange, one St. Louis police officer and one ATF agent returned fire. Carter was fatally struck during the shootout and was later found dead near the home’s entryway when a SWAT team entered the building to secure the scene.

Once inside, SWAT officers discovered the bodies of two more victims: a woman who was found deceased in the living room and a man found dead in the basement. This brought the total number of deceased individuals associated with the home to four, including the suspect.

While police confirmed the identities of the victims, they did not provide information on which of the three named victims—Mason, Eastling, or Rodriguez—were found inside the house or who was located outside. Authorities had previously reported that one male victim was found outside on the front porch while the female and another male victim were found inside the residence.

As of Wednesday, investigators have not released a possible motive behind the killings. It is also unclear what type of relationship, if any, Carter had with the victims, or why the violence occurred. Authorities have stated that the investigation remains active, and they are continuing to piece together the events that led to the deadly confrontation.

The entire episode began around 4:20 a.m. with the ShotSpotter notification, a system that alerts police to possible gunfire in real time. The alert prompted the initial response to the Wells Avenue address, where officers discovered the first homicide victim. The use of the ShotSpotter technology allowed police to react quickly, possibly preventing further harm in the neighborhood.

Following the shooting, police secured the perimeter and brought in federal agents to assist with evidence collection and to support the effort to safely enter the residence. The situation escalated when Carter, who had been inside the home during the police presence, emerged armed and began firing at the officers.

The swift involvement of the SWAT team helped ensure that the scene could be fully secured without further casualties among law enforcement personnel or civilians. The deaths of the two additional individuals found inside the home added a chilling layer to the already grim discovery made earlier that morning.

Carter’s death brings a close to the immediate threat posed during the incident, but questions remain surrounding the timeline, motivations, and connections between all involved. As of now, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the ATF continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the deadly events.

The tragic outcome underscores the dangers faced by both law enforcement and communities when confronting potentially violent individuals. The involvement of multiple agencies in the case demonstrates a coordinated effort to respond to and investigate complex and dangerous situations.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have additional information about the events on May 9, or who may have known the victims or suspect, to come forward. Tips could prove essential in uncovering more details about what happened inside the home on Wells Avenue and why four lives were lost in such a violent manner.