St. Louis County authorities have released the identity of the man fatally shot during an officer-involved confrontation at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) early Friday morning. The deceased, 31-year-old Darius Kennedy, died at the scene after an encounter that unfolded just after 1 a.m. inside Terminal 1.

According to the St. Louis County Police Department, the incident began when STL Airport Police officers conducting routine security checks encountered Kennedy armed with a knife. Officers reportedly issued multiple commands instructing him to drop the weapon, but Kennedy refused to comply. As he advanced toward them, one officer deployed a Taser in an attempt to subdue him.

Despite the initial use of the Taser, police say Kennedy continued moving toward the officers while still holding the knife. A second officer then fired his service weapon, striking Kennedy. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that no officers or civilians were injured during the confrontation.

The St. Louis County Police Bureau of Crimes Against Persons has taken over the investigation, as is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. Detectives are reviewing witness statements, surveillance footage, and all available evidence to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the deadly encounter.

Officials emphasized that the early details released so far are preliminary and may change as the investigation progresses. They noted that incidents involving deadly force are always treated with the utmost seriousness, and their goal is to provide a clear and transparent account once all facts are confirmed.

The tragic incident has left many in the community seeking answers as investigators work to piece together what happened in the moments before Kennedy was shot. Authorities say additional updates will be released when appropriate, and the case remains under active review.