Zemir Begic - Two teenagers have been arrested for brutally beating a man to death with hammers on Sunday morning. St Louis police have identified the victim as 32 years old Zemir Begic, a resident of 4200 block, Miami Street.
Zemir Begic suffered injuries to the head, face, mouth and abdomen. He was pronounced dead after being transported to the St. Louis University Medical Center.
The brutal attack occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Itaska Street in Bevo neighborhood, while Begic and his wife Arijana Mujkanovic were in their car.
Two teens approached the vehicle and started destroying it with hammers. Zemir Begic is reported to have alighted to confront the assailants, who then turned on him. The teens, aged 15 and 16, reportedly argued with Zemir Begic before brutally pounding him to death with their hammers.
St. Louis Police say the two suspects have since been apprehended and taken into juvenile custody. Reports indicate that late Sunday night a third suspect, who is 17 years old, also turned himself in at the city police headquarters. A search for a 15-year-old, who is suspected to have also been involved in the murder is underway.
Authorities have opened an investigation into the brutal killing of Zemir Begic, who is of Bosnian decent. No motives for the attack have been given and it doesn't appear that the assailants knew Zemir Begic personally.
Mujkanovic and the several members of the local Bosnian community took to the streets on Sunday night to protest Zemir Bejic's murder. The group reportedly blocked traffic on Gravois Avenue near Itaska Street, where the gruesome attack occurred.
The protesters were met by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Captain Dan Howard, who assured them that the police would do everything to bring the perpetrators of the crime to book.
St Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson explained to the group of protesters that based on preliminary investigations Zemir Begic's murder did not seem to be motivated by ethnicity or race.
Mujkanovic said she and Zemir Begic had only gotten married some months ago. According to her, about three other people witnessed the gruesome death of her husband.
"The last thing he did before he actually died was pull me out of the way and put himself in front of me, basically giving up his life for me," Mujkanovic said.
Mujkanovic has demanded justice for Zemir Begic's death. "He doesn't deserve this and most of these people don't even know him," she said.
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