ST. LOUIS – In a chilling case of gun violence, Dwight Byrd, 59, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for pointing a gun at a 7-year-old boy. The incident occurred on September 7, 2023, when Byrd threatened the young child with a black handgun, demanding respect.
Byrd pleaded guilty in May to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The parolee’s actions were caught by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers after he fled into his home and changed clothes. Authorities discovered a loaded 9mm handgun and additional weapons in his apartment.
At the time of the incident, Byrd was on parole for a state drug offense. His previous convictions include robbery and drug offenses, which also involved gun use. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nino Przulj highlighted these prior offenses during Thursday’s sentencing hearing.
In a letter to Judge Henry E. Autrey, the mother of the victim expressed her trauma and confusion over Byrd’s actions. “We are all traumatized, and he probably still doesn’t care,” she wrote.
Przulj emphasized that Byrd’s actions were part of a pattern of violence, noting his history of pointing or shooting guns at people. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department conducted the investigation, and Przulj prosecuted the case.
This case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence in the community. Launched by the Department on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on fostering trust in communities, supporting prevention efforts, and setting strategic enforcement priorities.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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