ST. LOUIS — The holiday spirit has dimmed for a family in St. Louis following the tragic death of 68-year-old Albert Willis, who was fatally shot on Christmas Day at a local gas station. Family members are left grappling with the loss and reflecting on the impact it has had on their holiday celebrations.
Scheron Courson, Willis’ sister, was filled with joy when she spoke to her brother just hours before the incident. He had called to invite her over for Christmas dinner, a meal that would never materialize. “I spoke to my brother at noon, and by 2 p.m., he was gone. I can’t even describe how I feel,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police arrived at the scene shortly after 2 p.m., where they found Willis suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Family members have indicated that witnesses reported an argument between Willis and a man and a woman prior to the shooting.
“My uncle believed he would come home to open gifts and enjoy time with family. He never thought this would happen,” said Jordan Pippin, Willis’ niece. The gas station was a familiar stop for Willis, who had a routine of picking up lottery tickets along with his breakfast.
His daughter, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that her father had been battling cancer. “To know he had to endure such a fight in his last moments, after all he fought to stay alive, is heartbreaking,” she said.
The shooting marks another tragic chapter for the family. Just months earlier, they had lost Willis’ granddaughter, Trinity Staten, to gun violence in an unrelated incident. “This shouldn’t happen to anyone. It shouldn’t have happened to us,” Pippin expressed.
Remembered fondly as a dedicated community car salesman, Willis was a familiar face around town. His former employer, Danielle Windmueller, described him as a dedicated worker who always went the extra mile. “Albert was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. We would share stories about our lives all the time,” she said. To support his grieving family, she has initiated a fundraising campaign.
A GoFundMe page has been established to assist Willis’ family during this difficult time. As the family mourns, police are actively seeking information about the shooting. The suspects are described as a Black woman in her late twenties to early thirties and a Black man in his early thirties.
Authorities are urging anyone with details about the incident to come forward. Information can be shared directly with the police Homicide Division or anonymously through CrimeStoppers, where tips may lead to a cash reward.
As the investigation continues, the family hopes for justice while reflecting on the profound void left by Willis’s untimely death.