A South County man has been charged with two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree assault and the unlawful use of a weapon following an incident outside of an apartment last month.

Please note that charges are merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

According to police, Kyle Blair, 45, exited his apartment in the 63129 zip code at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. Victim 1, an unnamed 16-year-old, was smoking outside his apartment building at this time. After stepping from his apartment, Blair yelled “racial epithets” at Victim 1, re-entered his apartment, then returned armed with a shotgun. Blair yelled additional violent and racist comments at Victim 1 before firing a shot, at which point Victim 1 ran from the scene through a wooded area to a nearby Phillips 66.

While at Phillips 66, Victim 2 agreed to walk Victim 1 back to the apartment. Upon arrival at the apartment, the victims noticed Blair in the parking lot armed with the shotgun. Blair pointed the shotgun at the victims, who ran and called the police. Blair fled the scene in his motor vehicle.

A victim — though unclear which of the victims, based on information from the police — identified Blair in a photo lineup, and a wanted was placed for his arrest. On Aug. 31, Blair turned himself in to police. He is being held on a $150,000, cash-only, no 10% bond.

St. Louis County Police Department officers from the South County Precinct are handling this investigation.