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Man charged with murder of retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn during looting

Charges were announced against 24-year-old Stephan Cannon on Sunday.

ST. LOUIS — A 24-year-old man has been charged in connection with the murder of a retired St. Louis police captain.

Retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn was found shot to death outside of a north St. Louis pawn shop after a night of unrest in the city. 

Dorn was found on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound outside Lee’s Pawn and Jewelry on June 2.

RELATED: 'We will honor him': Retired St. Louis police captain shot and killed during looting of pawn shop

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced on Sunday that 24-year-old Stephan Cannon has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and three counts of armed criminal action as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Credit: St. Louis police department

According to charging documents, surveillance video showed a Pontiac G6 pull up alongside the pawn shop and multiple people from the G6 entered the store. 

Surveillance video then showed Cannon exiting the store and walking towards the Pontiac G6 just before Dorn arrived. Once Dorn arrived, Cannon was seen approaching the corner of the store with a gun in his hand.

“It is apparent from the surveillance that at the time the shots were fired, Cannon was the only person standing at that corner,” charging documents said. Multiple plumes of smoke were seen coming from the area where only Cannon was standing, according to charging documents.

“Once Dorn has been shot and falls to the ground, Cannon can be seen approaching the door to the pawn shop,” charging documents said.

A television taken from the pawn shop was recovered at the residence where Cannon was arrested. According to charging documents, Cannon said he was inside the pawn shop that night and also said he cut his hair to change his appearance after he saw his photograph being distributed.

He’s being held with no bond allowed.

A 27-year-old man was also charged in connection with stealing from the pawn shop. Jimmie Robinson Jr. was charged with one count of first-degree burglary, one count of armed criminal action and one count of stealing, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He's being held with a bond of $30,000 cash-only.

According to court documents, surveillance from outside showed a Hyundai Santa Fe pull up near the shop and several people got out. They were seen entering the shop and leaving with several electronics. Robinson Jr. was seen with a handgun inside the store and video also showed him leave the shop with several electronics, which were valued at over $750. 

Court documents said Robinson Jr. identified himself as one of the people who went into the shop and he admitted he had a gun while he was inside. 

Credit: St. Louis police
Jimmie Robinson

Dorn, who was 77 years old, served nearly 40 years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. After retiring in 2007, he became the Chief of Police in Moline Acres.

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO

DAVID DORN REMEMBERED 

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Police Chief John Hayden remembered Dorn in a Tuesday news conference.

“David Dorn was exercising law enforcement training that he learned here, so in his honor, we are wearing our mourning badge," Hayden said.

“... David Dorn was a fine captain. Many of us younger officers looked up to him. So very well-liked and very pleasant. And his wife still works here, so a very sad time for our agency. We will honor him."

Dorn graduated from the police academy in May 1970. He was assigned to the patrol support division when he retired from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in October 2007, according to a police spokesperson. 

R.M. Fraction Sr., Head Police Chaplain for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, recalled memories with Dorn created over 20 years.

"He has done so much in training younger officers to be better than they are," he said.

Fraction said Dorn served the city for 38 years and was the Moline Acres police chief for five years.

Former St. Louis County police chief and current county councilperson Tim Fitch said he worked constantly with Dorn when he became chief. But he said he's known Dorn and his wife for almost 30 years.

"He's a true public servant. Integrity and the public service: that's what stands out for the Dave Dorn that I knew," Fitch told 5 On Your Side.

Missouri state Representative Chris Carter said in a statement that Dorn was his cousin.

“Representative Chris Carter and his family are in mourning this morning at the death of their cousin, former St. Louis Police Department Captain David Dorn,” the statement said. “... He will be greatly missed.”

President Donald Trump tweeted a tribute to Dorn,

"Our highest respect to the family of David Dorn, a Great Police Captain from St. Louis, who was viciously shot and killed by despicable looters last night." President Trump tweeted on June 2.

Flowers and a candle were placed outside the store Tuesday next to a sign that read, "Y'all killed a black man because 'they' killed a black man??? Rest in peace."

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR DAVID DORN

Dorn will be laid to rest on June 10.

A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 9 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church at 915 North Taylor Avenue.

A private funeral for family, dignitaries and police personnel will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at the Saint Louis Friendly Temple at 5553 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Dorn will be buried following the funeral at Valhalla Cemetery in St. Louis.

Flowers can be sent to Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church on the day of visitation. If you want to give money, the family is asking to donate to CrimeStoppers, BackStoppers or to by going to this link.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, facial coverings will be mandatory at the visitation and funeral and social distancing will be required.

RELATED: Funeral arrangements announced for retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn

PROTESTS, VIOLENCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH

George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man was killed on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It's sparked nationwide outrage and protests across the world.

Former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while he was handcuffed in the street and said, “I can’t breathe.” Charges against Chauvin were elevated to second-degree murder. He was previously facing a third-degree murder charge.

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