Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, a failed car theft quickly escalated into a deadly encounter and a slew of criminal charges. The incident unfolded in Webster Groves, Missouri, on October 28, when two would-be carjackers made the grave mistake of targeting an armed citizen who had no intention of giving up his vehicle.
According to [Lt. Jillian] McCoy, the dynamic swiftly changed once the police arrived at the scene. “We received a call for service reporting an attempted stolen auto. When our officers got there, they found a victim lying on the ground,” McCoy stated. The victim explained that he was sitting in his car when he heard the sound of shattering glass. Upon exiting the vehicle, he was confronted by two individuals wearing black ski masks, sprinting towards him. “When you have two individuals charging at you with ski masks, risking their lives after committing a number of felonies, any sane person would fear for their safety,” McCoy added.
Carjackers Made a Deadly Mistake When Trying to Steal an Armed Citizen's Vehicle https://t.co/AcJL00FimE
— Brad Porcellato (@BradPorcellato) October 31, 2023
That’s when the victim, fearing for his life, used his firearm to defend himself, fatally shooting 19-year-old Javion Bibby. The other suspect, 18-year-old Ronnie Jewett, then picked up Bibby’s weapon and aimed it at the victim. In response, the victim shot multiple rounds in Jewett’s direction. Jewett swiftly fled to the Affton area, where police apprehended him shortly after.
Jewett now faces a multitude of charges, including second-degree felony murder, armed criminal action, attempted vehicle theft, and evidence tampering. His bond has been set at an astonishing $1 million, with the requirement of paying in cash only. The distinctive aspect of this case is Missouri law, which allows someone to be charged with murder if a death occurs during the commission of a crime in which they are involved.
Remarkably, the armed citizen is not being charged with any crime, as authorities have determined that he acted in self-defense after conducting a thorough investigation. This incident also sheds light on the widespread auto theft crime ring in the St. Louis area. Both assailants were part of the ring and were known to be dangerous individuals.
Once again, this story reaffirms the importance of gun ownership, even in areas with relatively low crime rates. The altercation transpired in a well-off section of the St. Louis metropolitan area, where crime levels are typically low. However, one can never predict when criminals are lurking nearby, waiting for their chance to prey on unsuspecting victims. In this case, members of a carjacking ring may have believed they could steal a higher-value vehicle for greater profits.
Had the citizen not been armed, the outcome could have been drastically different. He could have lost more than just his car, as these criminals often harm or even kill their victims. This is yet another reason why individuals should take responsibility for their own safety and not solely rely on law enforcement.
