Feds Seek Death Penalty for Alleged Gas Station Killers

In a shocking turn of events, federal prosecutors have announced their intent to seek the death penalty for two men charged in a 2023 murder outside a St. Louis County gas station. Bryant Pirtle and Christopher Hall are accused of the brutal killing of 18-year-old Devon Williams on January 29, 2023.

According to the investigation, Williams was attempting to purchase marijuana from Pirtle and Hall when one of them shot him nearly 20 times. The suspects then allegedly ran over Williams as they drove away from the scene, creating a grave risk of death for an Uber driver and another woman who were present.

Pirtle and Hall now face a slew of federal charges, including possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The decision to pursue the death penalty comes after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year directing the Attorney General to seek capital punishment for severe crimes.

The suspects are scheduled for arraignment hearings in their federal cases on December 19, 2025. This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community and underscores the ongoing battle against drug-related violence and the push for harsher penalties for such crimes.