Married couple charged in fatal I-170 shooting

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A married couple has been charged in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Alyssa Wilson on Interstate 170 last week.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office announced 42-year-old Willie Herndon and 45-year-old Taiya Herndon, both of Arlington, Texas, were charged Friday.

Wilson was found shot in her car on I-170 near St. Charles Rock Road Wednesday night while on her way to meet her friends at the zoo. She later died at the hospital.

Police said Monday in a press conference that they reviewed surveillance video from the area, which displayed a white Buick Enclave on the shoulder of southbound I-170 with their hazard lights on. Video showed someone exiting the vehicle before a gunshot rang out. The individual got back into the vehicle and drove off.

Police returned to the area where the car was pulled over and found a shell casing in the grass.

Utilizing surveillance video and license plate recognition tools, it led police to a hotel in Illinois. Law enforcement watched the area for several hours before obtaining a search warrant to the hotel room, where they found a firearm consistent with the crime scene.

Willie Herndon has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. Officials say Willie provided details regarding his involvement in the incident in addition to other ongoing investigations in the area.

Taiya Herndon is charged for hindering prosecution and is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond. She is charged for driving Willie to Illinois after the shooting.

Interviews are still ongoing. Investigators did not share any possible motivation for the shooting, but say there is no indication of road rage.

Alyssa’s father, Robert, stood before everyone at the press conference. He shared Alyssa was just 60 days away from turning 18 and joining everyone in their first family vacation to Disney.

“This was a senseless act. We ask that everyone that take a look at yourself inside and…think before something happens,” he shared.