Willie Herndon, 43, and his wife, Taiya Herndon, 45, of Arlington, Texas, have been arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alyssa Wilson on Interstate 170 on October 14.
Herndon faces charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Taiya Herndon is charged with hindering prosecution, according to St. Louis County Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith.
Teen Was on Her Way to the St. Louis Zoo
According to court documents, Wilson was driving to meet a friend at the St. Louis Zoo when a gunman allegedly fired at least one shot into the back of her vehicle.
A white Buick Enclave had pulled onto the right shoulder. Surveillance footage showed a person exiting the passenger side before a gunshot was heard. Wilson was struck, became incapacitated and crashed into the concrete median wall.
She was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators said the suspect returned to the vehicle, which then left the scene.
Authorities have not established a motive. They said the Herndons did not know Wilson and found no indication of road rage.
Surveillance Footage Helped Investigators Identify Suspects
Investigators traced the Buick Enclave to an Illinois hotel where the couple was staying. The vehicle had a distinctive decal matching surveillance footage, but its license plate had been changed. Police determined the plates did not belong to the vehicle.
A firearm was recovered from the hotel room, according to court records.
On October 16, investigators approached Taiya Herndon as she opened the vehicle’s rear hatch. Willie Herndon reportedly emerged shortly afterward, ran when he saw officers and was apprehended.
Prosecutors allege that Taiya Herndon transported her husband to Illinois after the shooting, forming the basis of the hindering prosecution charge.
Alyssa Wilson’s Father Remembers His Daughter
At a news conference, Wilson’s father, Robert Hickman, said his daughter was excited about her future and was about 60 days from turning 18. The family had been planning its first vacation together to Disney, where Wilson hoped to see Princess Tiana, her favorite character.
“This was a senseless act,” Hickman said.
He thanked the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, the FBI and the City of Overland for their work. Authorities said the arrests cannot bring Wilson back but expressed hope they would help bring accountability and justice to her family.
Investigators Examine Possible Connection to Another Shooting
Investigators also found information about another highway shooting reported on October 11.
According to authorities, a vehicle was fired upon after a white SUV pulled to the side of the road. A shell casing recovered there reportedly had the same manufacturer as one found near the scene of Wilson’s killing.
Additional testing is needed to determine whether the casings came from the same firearm. No definitive connection has been established.
Bond Set as Investigation Continues
Willie Herndon is being held on a $1 million cash bond. Taiya Herndon is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond, prosecutors said.
The investigation continues, including examination of a possible connection to other highway shootings.
The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Y’all Know What sends its heartfelt condolences to Alyssa Wilson’s family and loved ones during this devastating time.
