ST. LOUIS – Authorities in Clayton and St. Louis City have determined their investigations into an early morning abduction and a fatal shooting are connected.

The family of Michelle Hampton said she was headed to work Wednesday morning when she was abducted in a truck. Relatives witnessed the abduction and followed the truck to Euclid and Enright, when a man in the truck fired shots at their car. The family members stopped their pursuit and reported the matter to Clayton police.

Later in the morning, officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the Kingsway East neighborhood just after 11 a.m. A woman was found shot to death in an alley on the 4700 block of Greer Avenue near Marcus.

A press release from the Clayton Police Department stated that the victim is believed to be the woman from Clayton. The confirmed identity of the woman will be released following the medical examiner’s autopsy.

McCoy said detectives in both departments are working to hammer out the timeline and clarify details. However, Clayton police say they believe this incident was specifically targeted.

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The incident in Clayton happened just before 7:15 a.m. Two of Hampton’s nephews told FOX 2 they witnessed her abduction. They, along with their mother, followed the vehicle.

One of Hampton’s nephews, Julius Cockrell, said one of the suspects fired the gunshot at them near Kingshighway and Delmar Boulevards. The bullet broke the glass on their vehicle, but nobody was injured. That’s when Cockrell and his family lost sight of Hampton.

McCoy said no one is in custody for the abduction or shooting. Detectives have not released any information on the suspect or his vehicle.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is now leading the investigation.

Hampton worked at Beaver Industrial Supply, a tool company in south St. Louis. She began with the company as a customer service representative and eventually became a vice president in charge of human resources.

“She didn’t deserve this at all,” co-worker Colleen Hayden said. “We were at a loss over who would even want to do this to her. She helps everybody that needs it, and then even if she doesn’t have it, she finds some way to help.”

Hayden added that the suspect can’t get away with it, adding, “I just want them to be caught.”

Police encourage anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477) or by contacting the homicide division of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-444-5371.

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