Mo. Teen Allegedly Shot Man 14 Times Before Concealing Body in Air Mattress

Mar. 15, 2025

Jackson L. Pierce.Photo:St. Peters Police Department

St. Peters Police Department

A Missouri teen is charged with murder after authorities allege he shot a man 14 times before hiding his body in an air mattress.

Pierce claimed Coleman, whom police say was an acquaintance, had forced his way into his bedroom and tried to strike him, the statement says. Pierce then picked up a gun on a bedside table that he claimed Coleman was eyeing, according to the probable cause statement.

Pierce fired the entire clip before he allegedly said Coleman finally collapsed, the statement claims.

Also arrested at the scene was an unidentified juvenile, who Pierce says helped him attempt to clean the scene with dish soap and towels before the pair allegedly wrapped Coleman in an air mattress, according to the statement.

Coleman’s body was found with a garbage bag over his head in the rolled-up air mattress, which was tightly tied with an electrical cord, police say in the statement.

Police were alerted to the scene when legal counsel for a witness who shared a residence with Pierce contacted authorities wanting to report a possible homicide, according to the statement.

The witness told police that he had left the residence before the alleged altercation, but had received several calls from Pierce who said he was having difficulty with Coleman, according to the statement, which also says the witness tried to calm the situation over the phone.

Pierce then called the witness again, allegedly saying he had killed Coleman after the latter tried to hit him, the statement says. The victim then told Pierce to call the police, but he refused, prompting the witness and his attorney to contact the department.

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After being arrested, Pierce allegedly said “Dog, I shoulda [expletive] called the cops myself, I shoulda called the cops myself, bro … I am, I am dumb as [expletive],” according to the probable cause statement.

Pierce was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence and abandonment of a corpse. Court records indicate that he pleaded not guilty and was assigned a public defender.

St. Peters police say the juvenile was conveyed to family court for charges. It is not clear if he has been charged yet.

source: people.com