Shakeela Martin was buying slushies for two of her children when authorities say she was struck by gunfire outside a gas station.
FERGUSON, Mo. — Three men have been charged in the fatal shooting of Shakeela Martin, a 35-year-old mother of five who police say was struck by gunfire outside a Ferguson gas station after buying slushies for two of her children.
Marcus Evans, 21, Kyren Farmer, 21, and Jontez Young, 19, each face a second-degree murder charge in Martin’s June 30 death, according to Ferguson police and local news reports. Each man also faces one count of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action and a charge related to firing a weapon from a motor vehicle. The charges are allegations, and the cases remain pending.
Police said Martin went to a BP gas station on South Florissant Road with two of her children shortly before midnight. Investigators said she had gone inside to buy the children slushies and was walking outside when shots were fired from a nearby vehicle. Martin was struck and died at the scene. Another man was wounded in the shooting and survived.
Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle said investigators determined Martin was not involved in the dispute connected to the gunfire. Authorities have said an argument involving other people had taken place before the shooting, but police have not publicly identified the intended target or announced a specific motive. Doyle said Martin was simply a mother caring for her children when she was killed.
The investigation eventually led detectives to a Chevrolet Malibu they believed was connected to the shooting. Police said surveillance footage and cellphone information helped investigators link Evans, Farmer and Young to the vehicle. Reports citing investigators said Evans acknowledged being inside the Malibu and Farmer allegedly said he was driving. Those statements are allegations and have not been tested in court.
Investigators also said ammunition recovered during the investigation was consistent in brand and caliber with shell casings found at the scene. Authorities have not publicly provided a complete account of which defendant they believe fired particular shots or described the alleged actions of every person inside the vehicle.
Police announced an initial arrest July 30, about a month after Martin’s death, but did not immediately identify the person taken into custody. Ferguson authorities announced the three arrests and charges Aug. 3. Evans was being held on a $2 million cash-only bond, while Farmer and Young were each being held on $2.5 million cash-only bonds when the charges were announced.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith said two senior prosecutors were assigned to the case. Police have said the investigation remains active and that additional arrests are possible. Authorities have not disclosed a final motive or publicly identified the person they believe was the intended target of the gunfire.
Martin’s death has also prompted community support for her five children. Ferguson police and the Ethical Society of Police announced a school-supply drive for the children, with donations being collected through Aug. 21. Martin’s family has said she had been preparing to move her children into a new home the day after she was killed.
The criminal cases against Evans, Farmer and Young remain pending, and authorities have said the investigation into the shooting is continuing. No additional suspects or new charges had been publicly announced as of Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated August 12, 2026.