NAACP requests FBI about possible hate crimes in South St. Louis Co

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (First Alert 4) – The NAACP is calling on the Federal Bureau of Investigations to investigate an attack involving three white men against a black man.

Three construction workers face criminal charges after authorities say they attacked an off-duty St. Louis County police officer.

The St. Louis County District Attorney’s Office charged Matthew Devlin, 39, of Fenton, with three counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree kidnapping.

Garrett Gibbs, 23, of Fenton, and Donnie Hurley Jr., 42, of Arnold, are both charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and first-degree kidnapping.

According to St. Louis County Police, the incident occurred on September 26 at the intersection of South Lindbergh Boulevard and Lemay Ferry Road. According to police, there was construction work in the area and they believe the altercation was sparked by confusion about the exact location of the work area boundaries.

The off-duty officer was in plain clothes, driving an unmarked vehicle and entering an area where traffic cones were placed. However, it is not clear whether they defined the restricted area, a police spokesperson told First Alert 4.

At that point, a verbal exchange occurred and the off-duty officer exited his personal vehicle. Police said witnesses told them Devlin repeatedly used racial slurs toward the off-duty officer.

“No construction worker, no civilian, no one has the right to become a law enforcement officer,” said Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP. “Unfortunately, the officer who was attacked was initially handcuffed by his own officers.”

Pruitt said the FBI confirmed it received his request.

Devlin then allegedly hit the officer with a hard hat. According to police, the other suspects held the officer while Devlin continued to hit him with the riot helmet.

Devlin and Gibbs then allegedly held him in a headlock and choked him while the officer pleaded with the suspect that he couldn’t breathe.

Additional officers arrived and stopped the attack, police said. St. Louis County Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the department at 636-529-8210.

NB West Contracting, the company the men work for, issued a statement to First Alert 4 saying it was deeply concerned about the incident and would be launching its own investigation.

“Our commitment is unwavering to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive work environment for all of our employees and the traveling public,” the company said. “We recognize the dangers associated with road construction, which often place our workforce in unpredictable and precarious situations around the clock.”

“We are concerned for everyone affected by this incident. We thank our employees, stakeholders, the public and everyone involved for their understanding and cooperation,” the company added.

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