Mother wants justice for 17-year-old son fatally shot by St. Louis police
Nearly two years after Emeshyon Wilkins was shot and killed by a St. Louis police officer, Shaina Wilkins says she is still searching for answers and accountability.
Updated on: April 15, 2026 / 10:14 PM EDT / CBS News
Emeshyon Wilkins was, in his mother's words, "goofy," a teenager who loved to make people laugh and whose smile could soften even the toughest moments. He liked math, was good with numbers and talked about working, saving money and building a life after high school.
"We kind of grew up together," his mother, Shaina Wilkins, told CBS News. She said she was just 17 when he was born. He had celebrated his 17th birthday just weeks before he died.
Body camera video released by her attorney this week shows the June 2024 encounter that ended with the 17-year-old being shot in the back of the head as he ran from police. The footage contradicts an earlier police statement that said Wilkins had pointed a gun at officers. The video does not show him holding or pointing a weapon.
Police said the encounter began when detectives attempted to stop an SUV that had been reported stolen. After a brief pursuit, the teen ran away. An officer can be heard shouting for him to get on the ground and to drop a gun before the officer began firing. One of the four shots struck Wilkins in the back of the head, killing him.