Dominque "Domo" Hoskins

Dominque "Domo" Hoskins, 28, dabbled in several jobs, his mother said. Most recently, he delivered pizzas in the summer and worked as an instructional aide at Hamilton Elementary School during the school year. The latter was his favorite. But he was shot and killed while working at a Domino's Pizza in Normandy. "He was able to see how you can turn mindsets around," said his mother, Stacey Hill-Abrams. "He'd say, 'Mama, everybody can be taught.'" Hoskins was shot multiple times around 8 p.m. Wednesday while sitting in his car in the parking lot of the Domino's at 7240 Natural Bridge Road in Normandy. Witnesses told Hoskins' family the shooting happened after a man came into the store to pick up a to-go order. The man was upset about something with the order and began yelling at the cashier, a pregnant woman. Hoskins intervened and got into a quarrel with the man. Witnesses told Hoskins' family he left the store and sat in the passenger side of his car. Hill-Abrams said he probably went for a smoke break to calm down. The gunman followed him outside and shot him, then drove away in a pickup truck with a red, rusted roof. Witnesses told family the gunman was a heavy-set Black man in his 50s who wore his hair in braids. Police have been mum about the shooting and have not confirmed that account. The department's chief is on vacation, and the deputy chief was unavailable for comment. The department did not release a statement about the shooting or potential suspects. The city administrator, David Campbell, said he was working in the chief's absence Friday to provide basic details to a reporter. The pizza shop has been closed since the killing. The St. Louis County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim. Hill-Abrams said her son lived in the Baden neighborhood of north St. Louis. He was the father of two children, a 2-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. He was expecting another child with his longtime companion, Jyra Willis. He became involved in walks to raise money for the American Heart Association after his 2-year-old son was born with a congenital heart defect. He just recently began working at Hamilton Elementary, 5819 Westminster Place, his mom said. "He loved, loved being a teacher," Hill-Abrams said. "He loved it. He loved working with his students." Police haven't talked with the family, she said. In late 2024, Hoskins graduated from a truck driving school. He wanted to be an over-the-road truck driver and maybe move to Texas, family said. He also had a passion for doing audio-video work for hotels on the side. "He was always trying to pursue whatever he could to make a decent living for himself and his kids," Hill-Abrams said. "He never wanted to be without that stability." Jyra Willis and Hoskins found out at the end of June that they were expecting a child. "He was a gentleman who opened doors," Willis said. "He complimented me, always. He was just a beautiful soul." Relatives said Hopkins had worked at Domino's for only about a month, just long enough to get two paychecks. He was excited because he considered it a good shop that paid well. Hill-Abrams said the pizza company's corporate office contacted her and assured her they would be sharing any video footage with police, along with information on the customer who called in his order. "I'm just numb. I'm hurt, I'm angry, I'm lost," Hill-Abrams said. "That's my baby, you know?"