ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities in St. Louis County have issued a warrant for the arrest of Thurman Lowe, who is suspected of shooting and killing Freddie Tribbitt before setting fire to Tribbitt’s home in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Lowe has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, second-degree arson, and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution. The St. Louis County Police Department reported that officers responded to a house fire on Baron Drive, where they discovered Tribbitt’s body after extinguishing the flames.
According to the probable cause statement, surveillance footage captured Lowe pacing outside the victim’s residence, verbally expressing his intent to harm Tribbitt. The video showed Lowe firing multiple rounds at Tribbitt’s door, then using a flammable item to start a fire in the room. He subsequently left the home as the fire grew, leaving smoke visible from a distance.
Lowe, who was already a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, is now being sought with a $3 million bond set for his arrest. He has a prior conviction from 1983 and was on parole after serving a 30-year sentence.
The case is being investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons and Regional Arson and Explosives detectives. This crime has left the community shocked and saddened, and authorities are urging anyone with information on Lowe’s whereabouts to come forward.