Jailed man linked to Normandy gas station shooting

CLAYTON, Mo. — A St. Louis man jailed after police recently found him with a loaded revolver is now facing charges linked to a February shooting at a Normandy gas station.

According to the Normandy Police Department, Nicholas A. Howell, whose criminal history includes a 2001 first-degree robbery conviction, was charged in connection with a Feb. 28 shooting following an altercation.

Court records show Howell was arrested again July 8 after St. Louis County police found him with a loaded .357 revolver during a vehicle search. Officers said Howell attempted to flee during a pat-down but was captured a short distance away. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Police said Howell admitted in a a later interview that he knew he was not allowed to own a firearm due to his prior conviction.

Howell is charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is set to appear in court on Nov. 7.