A St. Louis father of three was fatally shot early Sunday morning after allegedly offering a ride to a woman who claimed she needed transportation to a warming shelter, according to police and court records, as reported by The New York Post.
Brittany Rivoire, 36, has been charged in connection with the killing of William Palmer, who authorities say was shot in the head after stopping to help her in the early hours of Sunday in St. Louis, Missouri.
Investigators allege Rivoire stole Palmer’s truck following the shooting and later abandoned the vehicle before being taken into custody.
Brittany Rivoire, 36, has been charged with shooting and killing a man Downtown early Sunday morning after he gave her a ride to keep her warm. Rivoire stole and drove the victim’s truck after shooting him. https://t.co/wllYIxt4gV pic.twitter.com/WCQzeJeWR1
— KMOV (@KMOV) February 2, 2026
According to a criminal complaint, Palmer had initially been traveling with a friend when he encountered Rivoire.
The friend reportedly became alarmed by her behavior and decided to exit the vehicle before Palmer continued driving alone with her.
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Police allege that after the friend exited the truck, Rivoire shot Palmer in the head. Authorities say she then drove the vehicle several blocks before abandoning it.
After leaving the truck, Rivoire allegedly obtained a ride from another driver before being arrested.
Rivoire was previously convicted in 2024 on a charge of tampering with a motor vehicle, according to court records.
She now faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, armed criminal action, and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle. Jail records show she is being held without bond.
Investigators have not released details on what specifically led up to the shooting. However, Palmer’s family said the encounter began when Rivoire asked for help.
“As far as we know, she asked him at a gas station to take her to a warming shelter because she was cold,” Palmer’s fiancé, Riyen Jones, told First Alert 4.
“For somebody to take him for granted when all he was doing was helping her and then to do it to basically take his truck is… I can’t wrap my head around it.”
Family members described Palmer as someone who routinely went out of his way to help others, even when warned about the risks. At the time of his death, Palmer had reportedly been out collecting scrap metal.
The victim’s family said his habit of offering assistance to strangers was well known.
St. Louis City Police say William Palmer was shot and killed early Sunday morning. His family says he offered a ride to a woman who asked for help getting to a warming shelter. https://t.co/ke1W5AK0P2
— KMOV (@KMOV) February 4, 2026
“I used to tell him all the time not to pick up people off the side of the road anymore. He did it a lot. If he saw someone walking, he was picking them up and taking them as far as he could,” Jones said.
Law enforcement officials said the case remains under investigation as prosecutors move forward with the charges.
Authorities have not indicated whether additional suspects could be involved, but police say evidence supports the charges filed against Rivoire.
The killing has drawn attention to concerns about public safety and the risks faced by individuals who attempt to help strangers, particularly during overnight hours.
Police have urged anyone with additional information related to the case to contact investigators.
Rivoire remains in custody as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system.
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