Police ID suspect who was shot, killed while breaking into historic Masonic lodge

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Police have identified the man who was shot and killed by a caretaker at a historic Masonic lodge in the Central West End after he had broken into the building Wednesday, according to police.

The suspect has been identified as Geanard Howard, 48, of the 4900 block of Lotus.

Sgt. Charles Wall with SLMPD said that Howard had broken into the Tuscan Masonic Temple on Westminster Pl. near Kingshighway around 4:30 a.m., setting off the building’s security alarms. Wall said a man living above the lodge woke up, found a gun and went searching through the building.

When the man saw the intruder, he shot him. Wall said police would approach the death as a shooting investigation, but it would be up to the Circuit Attorney to determine whether the shooting was justified under Missouri’s Castle Doctrine, which allows a defendant to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary in instances of a home invasion.

“No matter what, the facts will be presented to the Circuit Attorney,” Wall said. “Whether they bring charges is their purview.”

The lodge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1907.

Neighbors were both surprised at the shooting and sad to hear of the man’s death. Patrick Donohue, a medical student who lives across the street from the temple, called it concerning.

“I’m sorry for the person who didn’t make it out. That’s sad. But I think this is still a safe neighborhood. This is something to pay attention to, but I’m still happy to live here,” he said.

FirstAlert4 reached out to the Tuscan Lodge 360 through the organization’s email and Facebook page, but did not receive a response.

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