MCS Report #765
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: North County Police Cooperative
Date of Activation: 09/11/2021
Commander and Department: Lt. Kevin Bushery, Ballwin Police Department
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Lt. Steve Hurst, Overland Police Department
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Maj. Ron Martin, North County Police Cooperative
Victim: Arion Jimmelle Burse Sr.
The North County Police Cooperative requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Arion Burse. At approximately 3:50am, officers responded to a residence in the 6200 block of Chatham Avenue in Wellston for a report of a shooting. There officers located Arion Burse (age 30) and a 5 year-old child inside the residence. They had both been shot. Arion was pronounced dead on scene. The child was transported to the hospital where he survived his injuries.
As a result of this investigation, it was determined there had been three people inside the residence just prior to the shooting: the unnamed shooter (who shot Arion), the shooter’s girlfriend, and the shooter’s girlfriend’s 5 year-old child. Arion Burse was the father of the 5 year-old child and the ex-boyfriend of the unnamed shooter’s girlfriend.
Arion broke into the residence where the three people were inside. Gunfire broke out between Arion and the unnamed shooter that was inside the residence. During the gun battle, Arion shot his own 5 year-old child. The shooter inside the residence shot and killed Arion.
The prosecutor reviewed the case and determined the shooter inside the residence shot Arion in self-defense. No criminal charges were issued in this case.
