ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Saint Louis Police say it's a joint effort with state, local, and federal partners that led to the arrest of a suspect investigators believe shot and killed a mother and daughter and then set their home on fire.
The suspect, 40-year old Michael Antonio McNair Junior was taken into custody Tuesday by U-S Marshals after evading law enforcement for more than a month.
St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy says the mother who is identified as Latasha Brown and her daughter Page Buckner both died at the hospital from their injuries. "Our homicide detectives including bomb and arson investigators and ATF special agents specializing in arson investigations responded to the scene. This was a horrible act of violence."
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore says this case involves an act of extreme violence and cruelty. McNair is charged with two counts of First Degree Murder, First Degree Arson, and unlawful use of a firearm. Gore says "we will leave no stone unturned in prosecuting this heinous crime."
Gore was asked about the relationship with the two victims. He says McNair was living with the mom and daughter and had a relationship with the mother.
But detectives developed leads that brought them to Poplar Bluff, Missouri. U.S Marshal Assistant Chief James Tapp said McNair had friends in that area and though he evaded marshals for a while. He was ultimately arrested in Poplar Bluff without incident.