Man, Toddler Fatally Stabbed In Maryland Heights

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO — A man and 22-month-old boy were killed and a woman and second child were injured in a stabbing at a home on Marine Ave. in Maryland Heights Thursday night. Police said the stabbings were related to domestic violence and the victims are all members of the same family.

Police announced Traveon Sims, 20, had been arrested early Friday morning and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, along with armed criminal action and assault.

Police have identified the victims as Malcom B. Mathis II, 33, and his son, Malcom Mathis III. Both were killed. Mathis' 4-year-old daughter and 57-year-old aunt were also severely injured. The 4-year-old is listed in "very critical" condition, while the aunt's condition is said to be critical but stable.

The accused stabber, Sims, is Mathis' nephew, police said.

Police have also charged Onyai Turner, 21, with one count of first-degree murder, calling Turner an "active participant" in the crime.

St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch said that Sims was released on parole in May after serving a prison sentence for robbery. The Mathis family, with whom he had been staying, had attempted to kick him out of the house, prompting the incident.

“They wouldn’t let him stay in the house any longer,” McCulloch said. “And I think that is what ultimately led to this.”

Mathis' wife found her husband and children when she came home Thursday night. Police said the bodies were in different areas of the home and that they believe the aunt and children were stabbed earlier in the day. Mathis, they said, was probably stabbed when he arrived home later in the evening.

“The stabbings actually took place over a period of time” from late-afternoon through early-evening Thursday, Police Chief Bill Carson said. “This is probably one of the most brutal and violent crime scenes I’ve ever seen."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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