Charles Brown

Charles Brown, 40, was shot near his home in south city's Carondelet neighborhood on Dec. 18 and had met with the killers while trying to buy a gun, according to court papers. Brown lived in the in the 6500 block of Minnesota Avenue. Though he was shot in the abdomen, he managed to tell police some of what happened. He told officers he was walking in the alley around 2:40 p.m. when he was shot by two males wearing black ski masks and black clothing. Brown later died from his injuries. Prosecutors later charged Juan D. Harris, 20, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Harris lives in the 300 block of Krauss Street in St. Louis. According to court records, Brown and Harris met up with a third person so Brown could buy a gun. After Brown handed over the money, the third person shot Brown, police said. The third person's name was not in court documents. Authorities haven't said if that person has been arrested.