November 8, 2026
Updated November 8 to include the separate charges announced by St. Louis city prosecutors.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — A 36-year-old St. Louis man faces separate sets of criminal charges in Jefferson County and the city of St. Louis after authorities say he entered a former girlfriend’s home, fired a handgun and later shot toward deputies during a pursuit.
Denzell M. Reed is accused in a November 6 incident that began in the 400 block of Thoreau Trail and ended in St. Louis. Authorities reported that no one was struck by the gunfire.
Jefferson County announces seven charges
According to a November 8 release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Reed was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree domestic assault, first-degree burglary, stealing a motor vehicle and three counts of armed criminal action. The sheriff’s office subsequently said the charges were accompanied by a no-bond warrant.
A probable cause statement alleges that Reed forced his way into a residence while armed with a handgun. The woman, identified in the statement as his former girlfriend, retreated to a bathroom with her adult sister. Investigators allege Reed fired toward the bathroom; neither woman was injured.
Authorities say Reed took the woman’s car and fled. A Jefferson County deputy spotted the vehicle and began a pursuit into St. Louis. Investigators allege Reed abandoned the car, ran and fired toward pursuing deputies. A deputy returned fire. No injuries from the gunfire were reported.
St. Louis city files eight additional charges
In a separate announcement, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office issued eight charges against Reed on November 7 after an investigation by the department’s Force Investigative Unit.
The city charges consist of two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree tampering, resisting arrest by flight, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to police.
The charges announced by the two jurisdictions stem from the same underlying incident but are separate filings. Authorities have not announced a trial date in the releases reviewed by VOTP News STL.
Reed was arrested with assistance from St. Louis city and county police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said he was being held at the St. Louis City Justice Center.
All charges are allegations, and Reed is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Sources: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office news release and probable cause statement dated November 8 and November 6, 2026, respectively; the sheriff’s follow-up confirming a no-bond warrant; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department news release concerning charges issued November 7 and its Force Investigative Unit notice.
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