Background: News footage of the scene where Chazz Toney was found dead on Oct. 10, 2025 (KBJR). Inset: Branden King (St. Louis County Jail).

Thirty-two-year-old Branden Russell King was taken into custody on January 8 in relation to the death of 35-year-old Chazz Toney. Toney’s body was discovered in Duluth shortly after midnight on October 10, 2025. Officials allege that King was responsible for Toney’s death and had also shot another unnamed victim the previous day, who turned out to be a case of mistaken identity, according to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement.

According to a probable cause statement obtained by local Fox station KQDS, Duluth police reported that witnesses heard King admitting to shooting “the wrong guy” on October 9, 2025. The court documents revealed that King had been inquiring about Toney, known by the nickname “Cash.” Witnesses told police that King mentioned he was “supposed to find Cash” after inadvertently shooting someone else.

On the night of the murder, following the shooting of the unintended victim, witnesses reported hearing gunshots and subsequently saw King standing over Toney’s lifeless body. Police stated that surveillance footage also placed King near the scene where Toney was found. This evidence was corroborated by a video capturing King in the vicinity.

On the night of the alleged murder, and after King allegedly shot the “wrong” man, witnesses heard gunshots and later saw King standing over Toney’s body. According to police, surveillance video also captured King near the location where Toney was found.

The St. Louis County Attorney said Toney was “executed,” adding that he was “shot in the head with a cigarette still in his mouth and keys and phone still in his hands.”

The alleged “wrong” victim was shot in the chest, but survived. Police said forensic analysis showed that the same gun was used to shoot the unidentified victim and Toney.

King was charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and second-degree murder. He is currently being held at the St. Louis County Jail without bond.