17-year-old charged as adult after 2025 fatal shooting inside St. Louis Schnucks on Union Boulevard

Adult charges filed in grocery-store killing

A 17-year-old has been charged as an adult in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred inside a north St. Louis Schnucks grocery store in September 2025. The teenager, identified in court records as Exzavier Marcell Ellis, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

The case stems from the death of 20-year-old Henry Armstrong, who was shot inside the Schnucks at 3431 Union Boulevard in the city’s Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood. Police were dispatched shortly after 3:10 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2025, and located Armstrong inside the store suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

What investigators say happened inside the store

Court documents outline a confrontation that unfolded after Ellis entered the store with another man and shopped for several minutes. Investigators allege three men then entered the store, including Armstrong. Armstrong approached Ellis and attempted to punch him. Prosecutors allege Ellis pulled a firearm and fired multiple shots at Armstrong inside the store.

As described in the filings, Armstrong ran while Ellis continued shooting. The two fell after tripping over a display, and Ellis is accused of standing up and firing downward at close range. Ellis then left the store. Investigators say the events were observed by witnesses and captured from multiple angles on store security cameras.

How the case moved from initial investigation to adult court

In the days after the shooting, police described the incident as an altercation that escalated to gunfire and sought public help identifying a person of interest. By Sept. 29, 2025, police announced a 17-year-old had been taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.

The newly filed adult charges represent a significant step in the prosecution and place the case in the adult criminal system. In Missouri, certain serious felonies—including homicide-related counts—can lead to juveniles being prosecuted as adults, depending on statutory factors and court decisions.

Key verified case details

• Date and location: Sept. 21, 2025, Schnucks at 3431 Union Boulevard, St. Louis.

• Victim: Henry Armstrong, 20.

• Defendant: Exzavier Marcell Ellis, 17.

• Charges: First-degree murder and armed criminal action.

• Evidence referenced in filings: witness accounts and multiple security-camera angles.

The charges are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The investigation and court proceedings are ongoing.