ST. LOUIS — A Fenton, Missouri, man is accused of killing a friend who he caught sleeping with his wife in St. Louis.
Prosecutors with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Erick Phillip Clark, 36, with first-degree murder, burglary, and two counts of armed criminal action. Clark remains jailed without bond.
Court documents obtained by NewsNation local affiliate KTVI indicate that Clark fatally shot his friend on May 23 as he caught him in a sexual encounter with his wife at another mutual friend’s home in St. Louis City.
According to court documents, Clark, his wife and the friend he allegedly shot to death spent some time at a bar before they returned to the friend’s home. After that, Clark’s wife and friend told him they were going to a store to purchase more alcohol.
Clark waited 45 minutes at the home, did not see his wife or friend return, and did not hear from them. He then left the home with a firearm and searched for them, per court documents.
While searching, Clark noticed the vehicle that his friend and wife left in was parked at a mutual friend’s home. He reportedly walked up to the home and heard noises he perceived as a sexual encounter between his wife and friend. Clark made his way into the home without permission.
Court documents state that Clark “confirmed” his suspicions as he ventured into the home. A short time later, he allegedly pulled out a weapon and shot his friend twice, who later died from his injuries.
Clark, his wife, and the person killed “were all friends” prior to the shooting. Court documents state Clark and his wife were working on their marriage after a period of infidelity.
Clark has a preliminary hearing over his charges on July 1.