Man accused of killing his 78-year-old grandfather in their Belleville home
The St. Clair County state’s attorney’s office has charged a Belleville man with first-degree murder in the death of his grandfather.
Armani E. Floyd, 20, of Belleville, is being held at the St. Louis City Justice Center and awaiting extradition to Illinois, according to news releases from Belleville Police Department on Monday.
“(The grandson), who had been staying at the residence, fled the scene when family arrived to check on the victim after he did not attend church in the morning,” Acting Police Chief Mark Heffernan stated in one release.
The victim was Arthur L. Sheard, 78, of Belleville, according to police. Sheard is listed as the owner of a brick and masonry ranch at 206 Union Ave. in county property records.
The release didn’t give a cause of death. St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. said the victim died of a stab wound.
Police reported on Sunday that officers were dispatched to a home in the 200 block of Union Avenue at 11:11 a.m. for a report of an “unknown disturbance.” Along with emergency medical personnel, they attempted life-saving measures on a male victim but determined he was dead.
“The victim was helping a family member, providing him shelter, and the suspect brutally murdered him,” Heffernan stated in the release on Monday. “It is unthinkable.”
The release provided a few more details:
- When police arrived at the home, family told officers that the victim was inside unconscious and not breathing.
- The victim had severe injuries.
- Investigators tracked the suspect to a location in St. Louis.
- Assisted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Belleville detectives took the suspect into custody without incident.
“The suspect was arrested around three hours after this crime was committed and remains in custody in Missouri,” the release stated.
Only two homes remain of the original 200 block of Union Avenue. Several others were torn down years ago, when The Edge entertainment complex expanded its parking lot.
On Monday, residents said the neighborhood of mostly small brick and frame homes with neat yards is “tight-knit” and generally safe. They asked not to be identified.
One neighbor said the residents of 206 Union Ave. moved in only a few months ago.
“I feel terrible for the family,” he said.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 3:07 PM.
