St. Louis Bar Owner Arrested Following Cruiser Crash: Questions Raised Over Police Conduct
An incident involving a St. Louis police cruiser crashing into a popular gay bar, Bar:PM, has led to the arrest of the bar's owner, Marcus Morris, and raised significant questions about the conduct of the officers involved.
The Crash and Initial Accounts
The incident occurred while two rookie police officers were on duty in a patrol car.
According to reports, the driver of the cruiser stated that he swerved to avoid hitting a dog in the road, which ultimately led to him crashing into Bar:PM. A nearby resident, who identified himself as Pence and lives above the bar, corroborated this account, stating the officer shared the same explanation and offered an apology.
Morris's Arrest and Conflicting Narratives
Following the crash, police allege that Morris confronted an officer who arrived at the scene, using obscenities and shoving the officer.
Police claim Morris was informed he was under arrest, at which point he allegedly ran through a gate and pushed a trash can before being taken into custody.
However, this account is contested. Reporter Liso Khazaeli of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch presented bystander video footage that reportedly did not show any confrontation matching the police description.
Furthermore, Khazaeli stated on X (formerly Twitter) that police confirmed the officer driving the crashed vehicle was not administered an alcohol test, as colleagues deemed him unimpaired.
Legal Ramifications and Investigations
The attorney for Morris, Khazaeli, has called for an independent investigation into the case.
He also shared a video on social media showing the police cruiser running a red light moments before the collision with Bar:PM.
Initially, Morris faced a felony charge of third-degree assault on a special victim. However, prosecutors later amended the charges to fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest, both of which are misdemeanors.
Context of Crackdowns on LGBTQ+ Rights
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny and crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia.
While the St. Louis incident is distinct, the article also mentions unrelated events in Russia where individuals associated with the LGBTQ+ community have faced charges, including:
- Convictions for murder, robbery, and conspiracy described as a "deadly hustle" targeting patrons.
- Guilty verdicts for "petty hooliganism" and detentions following anti-LGBTQ+ "propaganda" raids.
- Charges against two employees of a Moscow club for "organizing extremist activities," including filming drag performers.
The St.
Louis situation has drawn attention from local officials, including an alderwoman representing the ward where Bar:PM is located, highlighting the community's concern over the events and the subsequent arrest of Morris.