In the quiet of a late summer night, a single gunshot shattered the peace of a St. Louis County neighborhood, leaving a community grieving and a family forever changed. On August 29, 2025, 17-year-old Damonte Hightower’s life was tragically ended in the 11000 block of Larimore Road, a place now marked by sorrow and unanswered questions.
The incident unfolded just before 10:37 p.m., when a ShotSpotter alert drew St. Louis County police to the scene. What they uncovered was a heartbreaking sequence of events: a brief verbal altercation between Hightower and 23-year-old Nykelte Wilburn, captured on surveillance footage, escalated into a fatal encounter. Authorities say Wilburn fired a single shot from a vehicle, striking Hightower. Despite the desperate efforts of witnesses who rushed the teen to a nearby hospital, Damonte succumbed to his injuries at 12:17 a.m. on August 30.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office swiftly moved to hold Wilburn accountable, charging him with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon for shooting from a motor vehicle, and failure to report the shooting. Eyewitness accounts and clear surveillance video were instrumental in identifying Wilburn, who now faces justice while being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.
The loss of Damonte Hightower, a young man with his future ahead of him, has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him. As the investigation continues, authorities are calling on the community for any additional information, urging residents to come forward to help piece together the full story of that fateful night. In the wake of this tragedy, St. Louis County grapples with the pain of a life taken too soon, a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the enduring need for unity and healing.
