A 28-year-old Missouri man, Vanier J. Jones, is facing multiple murder and felony charges after allegedly shooting and killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child in a chilling act of violence witnessed by five young children.
Authorities say Jones fatally shot 35-year-old Christina Lynn Rentchler in the back of the head on April 23 in St. Louis’ Fairground Park neighborhood. Rentchler was in her second trimester of pregnancy, and both she and her unborn child died at the scene.
Jones has been charged with:
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Two counts of first-degree murder
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Two counts of armed criminal action
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One count of first-degree assault (for another adult victim who survived)
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Five counts of first-degree child endangerment
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Five additional counts of armed criminal action related to the children
The second victim, who survived, told police that Jones had been staying at the home and shot her after becoming enraged. She survived by playing dead and overheard Jones asking the children where their mother was.
Investigators say the incident unfolded in front of five children aged 2 to 10, some of whom were Rentchler’s. Charging documents do not specify how many of the children were hers.
Jones was arrested on May 2 and is being held without bond. He was on parole for a previous second-degree assault conviction at the time of the shooting. Police say he later confessed the killings to a witness, who denied being with him at the time of the crime.
An initial court appearance has yet to be scheduled.
