MCS Report #290
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
Date of Activation: 11/06/1997
Commander and Department: Mark O'Donnell, Terminal Railroad PD
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Deputy Rick Wagner, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Dept
Victims: Christopher D. Price and Gerald W. Little
Suspects: DeAlandus “Montez” Best, James R. Bean, Brian K. Hill, and Gary D. James
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the deaths of Chris Price and Gerald Little. At approximately 7:22pm, deputies responded to the 2900 block of Trendley Avenue for a report of a car accident and shots fired. When deputies arrived, they located Christopher Price (age 27) and Gerald Little (age 25) who had both been shot. They were both transported to the hospital where they died.
Witnesses reported seeing a head-on collision followed by gun shots. The suspects and victims in this case were in one vehicle. Two people not connected to the suspects or victims were in the second vehicle. The occupants of the second vehicle were not shot.
As a result of this investigation, the following individuals were charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder each:
James Bean (age 19) - Bond $500,000
Brian Hill (age 22) - Bond $500,000
Gary James (age 21) - Bond $250,000
Two years later in 1999, DeAlandus “Montez” Best (age 20 at the time of the murders) was charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder in this case. His bond was set at $750,000.
