St. Louis County Police Identify Man Fatally Shot by Hazelwood Officers in Wellston

By Habari Entertainment | November 9, 2026

WELLSTON, Mo. — St. Louis County police on Monday identified Marcus Thornton, 48, of St. Louis, as the man two Hazelwood police officers fatally shot Nov. 5 during an attempt to serve a mental health warrant at a Wellston business.

What police say happened

North County Police Cooperative officers went to the business in the 1200 block of Sutter Avenue at about 1:05 p.m. to serve the warrant. County police said Thornton barricaded himself inside an excavator and began damaging property. St. Louis County Police

At about 3:30 p.m., the cooperative requested help from the St. Ann Multi-Jurisdictional Special Response Team. County police said team members tried to negotiate with Thornton, and officers tried less-lethal measures before two Hazelwood officers assigned to the team fired, striking him. Thornton later died at a hospital. No officers were injured, police said. St. Louis County Police

Both Hazelwood officers are 28 years old, according to the county’s release. One has four years of law enforcement experience, and the other has eight.

County force investigators are reviewing the shooting

The St. Louis County Police Department’s Force Investigative Team is handling the investigation at the request of the North County Police Cooperative. The investigation remains active. The county’s preliminary account did not specify which less-lethal measures officers used or what happened immediately before they fired.

Anyone with information can call St. Louis County Police at 636-529-8210. Anonymous tips can go to CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.

More news from Habari Entertainment