Left: Garrett Jordan. Right: Colin Brown (St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department).
Authorities in Missouri have charged one man with murder and are expected to make additional arrests in the case of a 16-year-old hockey player who tragically lost his life. The teenager, Colin Brown, was with his father on their way back from a hockey game when their vehicle was hit by gunshots on the highway. The incident occurred when they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department took 26-year-old Garrett Jordan into custody on Thursday in connection with Colin Brown’s death. The Browns were driving on Interstate 55 in St. Louis late in the evening on November 23 when a stray bullet entered their SUV, hitting Colin in the neck. Despite his father’s efforts to get him help by driving to 4th and Walnut to meet with police and paramedics, Colin passed away in the hospital a few days later.
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According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, detectives recovered more than 20 cartridge casings from a handgun and a rifle. The targeted victim said he was entering the highway when his car was shot. He later told detectives he had just left a home on Minnesota Avenue — which runs parallel to I-55 — moments before his car was shot. He was uninjured.
A witness told cops an Audi is often parked outside the Minnesota Avenue address where the targeted victim had been visiting. Surveillance video allegedly shows the Audi following the man’s car from the home to the highway, and then back to the Minnesota Avenue home. Jordan lives at the home. Local cops, with the FBI’s help, were able to track historical data from Jordan’s phone that showed him traveling from the home to the highway and back at the time of the shooting, according to the affidavit.
In an interview with detectives, Jordan acknowledged he owned the phone, which placed him in the Audi. Prosecutors on Friday charged Jordan with a slew of crimes, including first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
“What happened to Colin is nothing short of a tragedy and should never have happened,” St. Louis police Chief Robert J. Tracy said at a press conference Friday. “Despite the arrest and charges it won’t bring Colin back. As a father myself I pray that this can bring a sense of relief for Colin’s family.”
Tracy said there were two shooters, including Jordan, so more arrests are pending. The affidavit did not reveal the motive for the shooting, and authorities declined to release additional details.
Brendan Kelly, director of the Illinois State Police, said he was appreciative there was justice served in the death of his former colleague’s child.
“When there is such a senseless unfathomable loss of life, there must be an answer for it, and the officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department have answered,” he said.
Colin was a student at Christian Brothers College High School, according to local Fox affiliate KTVI. His family released the following statement to the TV outlet.
We are thankful for the tireless efforts of the SLMPD, FBI, St. Louis County, Illinois State Police in working on this case and getting it to this point. Additionally, we would like to thank the prosecutor’s office and all the other law enforcement agencies not mentioned who dedicated resources and worked countless hours on behalf of our son, Colin. While there is still much to do before this case is closed, we are confident the effort shown will continue. Hopefully, this shows that senseless violence such as this that took Colin from us all can not be committed without consequence. Again, thank you to law enforcement and the community for coming forward to assist.
His obituary said he was a “passionate hockey enthusiast.” He played for his high school team and had grand plans for his future on and off the ice.
“Tragically, Colin’s life was cut short before he could fulfill his dream of attending the University of Michigan and pursuing a career in medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon,” the obituary said. “He loved traveling with his family and exploring new cities with his father while on their many hockey game weekend trips. Colin was a big fan of Marvel movies and had an insatiable love for Reese’s Cups. So, the next time you enjoy one, raise a toast to Colin.”
Jordan had been released from federal prison in October and remains on probation, police said. A judge in 2021 sentenced him to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a weapon. After his release, he allegedly violated his probation in February and was locked up until his October release. Feds charged and subsequently convicted him for dealing heroin back in 2017 when he was a teenager, records show.
