Arrest made after man found dead in Central West End apartment building

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) - A man was shot and killed inside an apartment building in the Central West End early Tuesday morning, police told News 4.

The shooting happened in the 4300 block of West Pine, which is a block east of Forest Park, around 12:20 a.m.

Shortly after the shooting, News 4 learned that investigators originally on the scene believed there was an argument between two men inside an apartment. The altercation spilled into the hallway. During the argument, police believe one man shot the other. The victim, a 39-year-old man, was found shot in the hallway.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he later died. He was later identified by police as 39-year-old Nichalaus Kaznoch. It’s the 62nd homicide in the city of St. Louis in 2023.

Police arrested Kevin Smallwood and took him into custody. He was later charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Many in the Central West End choose the neighborhood for its location and safe reputation.

Charlie Hatch is one of them, moving from Benton Park to the Central West End eight months ago.

“It’s just a tough reality to encounter,” Hatch says. “I know there’s singular violent incidents that happen, but largely the reputation is that you’re free and clear from that. It is happening right down the road.”

Hatch lives across the street from where that shooting happened at the corner of West Pine and Newstead.

“It’s so real,” Hatch says. “It’s so hard to understand how much is really going on, and this is just a taste of that.”

News 4 asked SLMPD for more information about what led up to the shooting and if the suspect and victim knew each other.

We were told that information couldn’t be released yet due to the investigation.

Finn Calsyn lives near the murder scene and wants a bigger focus on safety in the community.

“St. Louis is kind of in distress right now,” Calsyn says. “The city is hurting. A lot of people are moving away. Not a lot of people are focusing on fixing the city. There are a lot of problems.”

Police are asking anyone with more information to call the homicide division or CrimeStoppers.

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