Cortez Clark cuffed for the July murder of Jawon Cooper marks a major turning point in a high-profile St. Louis homicide case. The 37-year-old suspect was taken into custody on July 27, 2026, by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in connection with the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jawon Cooper on July 17, 2025, in Walnut Park West. The Circuit Attorney’s Office officially charged Clark with First-Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, making him the fourth suspect formally charged in this year-long investigation.
St. Louis’ Crime Chime – Weekly Whirlwind of Woes: 37-Year-Old Cortez Clark Charged in Jawon Cooper Slaying—Now Facing Life Without Parole as the Law Strikes Back!
Walnut Park West: The Final Count
A summer night in July, twenty-five, Jawon Cooper didn’t make it out alive. At twenty-seven years, a life cut short in the street, Now the law is working to make the circle complete.
Walnut Park West, where the sirens ring, A year goes by, but justice has a sting. Three were already down, booked in the system tight, Now a fourth name is pulled right into the light.
Cortez Clark, thirty-seven, picked up on the block, Jul’ twenty-six, twenty-twenty-six—cuffed in the lock. First-Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action on the sheet, Facing heavy time for what went down in the heat.
Officer Caldwell puts the news out to the press, The St. Louis Metro clearing up the mess. Four suspects charged, the case moving to the court, That’s the word from the CAO, the final report.
From heartbreaking losses to shocking crimes, these stories paint a sobering picture of the challenges facing our communities. Let’s hope for justice, healing, and a safer tomorrow.
St. Louis Crime Chime: Partnering for a Safer Community
The St. Louis Crime Chime is evolving into a mission-driven organization dedicated to partnering with local public safety agencies and community-focused media, such as The Evening Whirl and Real STL News, to shine a light on social and violence-related issues. Our goal is to provide resources that support both victims and perpetrators of traumatic events, fostering healing and prevention within our community.
Through its St. Louis Crime Chime section. This essential platform empowers residents by highlighting emerging threats and safety concerns, encouraging vigilance and informed decision-making. Beyond reporting, it holds individuals and institutions accountable by keeping arrests and legal proceedings in the public eye, promoting transparency and urging neighbors to protect and support one another.
While the headlines often confront difficult truths, they also serve as a rallying cry for action. By staying informed through reliable sources and official police data, residents can move beyond fear and take an active role in prevention and community-building efforts. Together, we can transform awareness into meaningful change, helping St. Louis write a safer, more hopeful chapter for all.
What You Can Do
- Get Mental Health resources help for you and your family
- For daily updates, check the SLMPD Crime and Investigations page.
- For anonymous tips to the St. Louis police, use the St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477)
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for free and confidential support. We provide free & confidential support to people in crisis for any reason, 24 hours a day.
- StopBullying.gov: Offers resources and help lines, including options for youth and veterans (Dial 988 then press 1).
- Protect our children: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm
Stay tuned, stay safe, and remember: “If it’s crime you seek, we’ve got the streak.
#StLouisNews #WalnutParkWest #JusticeForJawon
