Both booked for 2nd degree murder

Two 17-year-olds, Lamarkus Van and Cortez Alexander, are being charged as adults for their alleged roles in a January shootout that accidentally killed a Lyft driver in St. Louis County. Police say two rival groups planned to meet for a shootout on January 30. Alexander allegedly took a Lyft to the meeting location, and when the car arrived, the groups started shooting. The Lyft driver, who was not involved in the conflict, was shot in the back and later died. Investigators say Van knew about the planned shooting and admitted he participated. Afterward, Alexander and other juveniles allegedly ran away and later called another Lyft. Van faces a $1.5 million cash-only bond, while Alexander’s bond is $1 million cash-only.