Executive Summary
- George Brown, 49, has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.
- The charges stem from an investigation into the November 23 killing of Willie Nichols.
- Police allege Brown admitted to possessing a gun while using narcotics and firing the weapon.
- Brown has not been charged with murder in connection with the homicide.
St. Louis prosecutors have charged a 49-year-old man with illegal firearm possession following an investigation into a fatal shooting that occurred in late November in the city’s O’Fallon neighborhood. George Brown faces two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, though he has not been charged with the homicide itself at this time.
According to court records, the investigation centers on the death of 71-year-old Willie Nichols, who was killed on November 23 inside a residence in the 4800 block of Alice Avenue. Authorities noted that another man was also shot and wounded inside the home during the incident.
Police detectives stated in charging documents that Brown admitted to carrying a Smith & Wesson handgun while using crack cocaine. Furthermore, investigators allege that Brown told police he fired the weapon on the day Nichols was killed. The specific circumstances of the discharge were not immediately elaborated upon in the initial reports.
Investigative Outlook
The filing of weapons charges represents a significant development in the broader inquiry into the violence on Alice Avenue, although law enforcement officials have clarified that Brown is not currently charged with murder. Such filings frequently allow authorities to detain a person of interest while forensic analysis and witness interviews continue in complex homicide cases. As the investigation remains active, additional findings regarding the death of Willie Nichols may influence future legal proceedings. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
