Suspect in Murder of Chesterfield Man Had Agreed to Buy His Car

Police are now saying a Chesterfield man shot to death in St. Louis last week was killed by a man who had agreed to purchase his car several days before. 

On Saturday, Tierrance Davis, 17, was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action in connection to the murder of 29-year-old Chesterfield resident Deondre Lamont Elem on Dec. 13. 

In a probable cause statement filed with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office, police said Elem and Davis had met several days before the shooting and discussed the possibility of Davis purchasing Elem's car. They decided to meet in a few days in the Vandeventer neighborhood to complete the sale. 

When they did, Davis alleged shot Elem in the head, jumped into his car, shot him again and then drove off, driving over Elem's body in the process. Elem was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the gunshot wounds. 

Preliminary laboratory analysis indicated that a gun found in Davis' home matched the one used in the shooting.  

A report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch described Elem, quoting his longtime girlfriend, who said he loved roller skating and playing with his three children, all under the age of 12. He would often take them bowling or to January Wabash Memorial Park in Ferguson to ride bikes. 

Davis is being held without bond and his next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.