Charges were issued Nov. 10 against a Crystal City man who shot another man during a road rage incident earlier that day.

According to the St. Louis County Police Department, charges were issued against suspect Robert Mulkey, 53, of the 1000 block of N. Taylor Avenue in Crystal City, for first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

The probable cause statement from police states that Mulkey and the victim, 34-year-old Benjamin Merritt of High Ridge, were in a road rage incident in the Highway 141/Gravois Bluffs intersection in Fenton the morning of Friday, Nov. 10.

After stopping traffic, Merritt got out of his car and approached Mulkey, who was still in his vehicle. According to the probable cause statement, Merritt flicked cigarette ash at Mulkey’s face. As Merritt was returning to his own car, Mulkey shot him in the back, causing Merrit’s death.

Mulkey is currently being held on a $500,000 cash-only, no-10% bond.