Dad charged for double murder, triple shooting (St. Louis, Missouri)

Dad MELVIN R. PATTON has beeen charged in the crime, which included the mother of his 4-year-old son. Daddy Dearest carried out the killings with the son in the room. Note how this reporter refers to a triple shooting as a "domestic dispute." Um, no. A dispute is a disagreement that requires the participation of more than one person. This was a home invasion in which a masked intruder broke into the house and shot two people dead, and left a third person in critical condition. Not much "mutual" interaction in that, is there?

http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/apr/22/man-charged-double-murder-triple-shooting/

Father charged for double murder, triple shooting
By Gabrielle Biondo

Originally published April 22, 2010 at 12:01 p.m., updated April 22, 2010 at 12:19 p.m.

By Steve Birmingham

Melvin R. Patton, 25, is charged with murdering the mother of his child, Kenika Elliott, 24, her brother Julius Elliott, Sr., 29. According to investigators, Patton is the masked gunman who burst into a south St. Louis home early Wednesday morning, shot and killed the brother and sister, and critically injured their friend.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said the Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Patton, of the 3000 block of Texas Avenue in St. Louis, Thursday morning. He's charged with two counts first degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, one count of first degree assault, one county of first degree burglary and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Investigators said Patton had a four-year-old child with Kenika Elliott and believe the shootings were connected to a domestic dispute between the two. Police said that child was in the room and witnessed the murder of his mother and her brother.

The shooting took place at 3:45 a.m., Wed., April 21, at a house in the 3800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Chippewa Street.

Police said a masked gunman entered the home with six or seven people inside, including three children who were not injured, and began shooting.

The Elliotts were pronounced dead at the scene. Their friend, Regina Jones, was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition. Her family said they hope their support will help her pull through.

Each of the victims was shot multiple times.

Patton was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon and is currently being held without bond.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry to the residence.