Charges filed in 2023 fatal beating outside convenience store

ST. LOUIS – A Bellefontaine Neighbors man appeared in St. Louis Circuit Court on Wednesday, nearly one year after police said he punched another man to death outside a convenience store.

The beating happened on July 19, 2023, at the Euclid Market convenience store, located at the corner of North Euclid Avenue and Hammett Place in the Kingsway East neighborhood, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s probable cause statement.

Police said Richard E. Sanders Jr., 26, and two associates were inside the store while the victim, Lorezno Thomas, sat in his car alongside the store on Hammett.

Surveillance video shows Sanders going outside, approaching Thomas’ car, and starting a conversation. At some point, police said Sanders pulled a handgun from his waist and waved it around. Sanders then went back inside and left the gun and a backpack in the kitchen area.

Police said Thomas got out of his car and called police. Thomas walked into the store while on the phone. Surveillance video shows Thomas going back to his car, with Sanders following in what’s described as an aggressive manner. Sanders’ associates attempt to restrain him, but Sanders pushes forward and punches Thomas in the face multiple times.

Thomas falls back onto the hood of his car but regains his balance. Sanders swings again two more times and misses before connecting with the third swing. The blow knocks Thomas to the concrete, where he remains motionless.

First responders arrived and found Thomas unresponsive with minimal brain activity. Thomas was placed on life support and rushed to the hospital.

Thomas died at an Iowa hospital in February 2024 as a result of his injuries. He never regained consciousness. Thomas was 63.

The crime, initially labeled an assault, was then classified as a homicide.

Sanders was arrested on July 16. Police said he admitted to punching Thomas.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Sanders with second-degree murder.

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