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The surveillance video allegedly shows Darius Griffin (in black) hunting VJ for a revenge murder.
A Georgia man is accused of traveling to St. Louis to commit a “brazen act of retaliation” after a family member was killed there in July.
Darius Griffin, 31, made his first federal court appearance this afternoon. He is currently charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition, although further state and federal charges are likely to be forthcoming.
According to the federal indictment, Griffin’s relative, identified in court documents as a MG, was killed in St. Louis in early July.
According to the indictment, a man identified only as VJ was a suspect in MG’s murder.
Griffin reportedly traveled here from Georgia and followed VJ to a grill and market on the 1100 block of North Kingshighway.
“There,” according to the indictment, “[Griffin] waited about 20 minutes for an opportunity to ambush VJ.”
Surveillance video recorded the altercation. A man who the indictment says is a Griffin chases VJ through the alley near the market.
“[Griffin] held what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle and fired multiple shots at VJ as VJ looked for cover,” the indictment said.
A still from the surveillance video shows VJ trying to take cover behind a dumpster.
The indictment says the attack ended in “multiple shots at close range,” killing VJ.
Detectives who later arrived at the scene collected several shell casings used in semi-automatic rifles.
According to the indictment, a white car with Georgian license plates arrived at the scene and was later arrested by license plate readers returning to Georgia.
In court this afternoon, Assistant US Attorney Ryan Finlen described the evidence in the case as “substantial,” citing surveillance video and other evidence.
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