The man who killed Taylor Clark murdered him on his lunch break then went back to work, police say.
Investigators confirm 24-year-old Michael Gordon is suspected of killing 19-year-old Taylor Clark after agreeing to meet up with him through Craigslist to possibly buy his car.
Clark was last seen around 10:30 a.m. Monday. His car was found around 6 p.m. in the parking lot of MTC Truck Driving School in the 12000 block of Missouri Bottom Road. His body was discovered in a wooded area not far from his car.
Police say Clark was trying to sell his car, a 2007 red Nissan, and met up with Gordon, who worked at MTC, on his lunch break to test drive the car.
Capt. Tim Fagan with the Florissant Police Department and commander of the Major Case Squad, says Clark was shot one time.
Fagan says initial work by investigators with the Madison County, Illinois Sheriff's Department connected Gordon to Clark through email searches and phone records.
Investigators say the two did not know each other prior to their contact on Craigslist.
"I'm not going to specifically talk about motive," said Fagan when asked why this meeting allegedly turned to murder. When asked if there were signs of a struggle between the two, Fagan would only say Clark was "shot one time."
Gordon has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He's being held at the St. Louis County Jail on a $1 million bond.
"People should always be concerned about anything that they do. Especially if it's online. You never know who it is that you're contacting, and so precautions are always advisable," said Fagan. "We know he was a, by all accounts, a very good young man, quality person. Was a college student, and unfortunately fell victim to a tragic event."
The Major Case Squad was activated Tuesday night, and more than 20 investigators are working the case. They said blood was found on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Julie Furst-Bowe, chancellor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the school Clark attended, issued the following statement Wednesday:
Our hearts and minds are with Taylor Clark's family and friends as they cope with this tragic loss. At a time of the year when the new spring season brings the promise of brighter days ahead, and commencement provides unending potential for so many of our students, it is truly sad that Taylor had his bright future taken away. He will be missed by all of those who he encountered on our campus."
Investigators are now asking for the public's helping finding Gordon's car. It's described as a red 1990 BMW 325i with Missouri license plate FL3Z9K.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the vehicle is asked to call the Hazelwood Police Department at 314-513-5225.
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