“I didn’t flip burgers before I came down here. He was a State Rep because I made him a State Rep because he didn’t have the nomination and I called somebody and gave it to him. He repaid by then stabbing me in the back and taking my seniority, then talking about he want to join the black caucus. If you was in my black caucus you would be the first person I would put a bullet in your head because you are not trustworthy.”
The remarks were captured on video and quickly circulated, turning what might otherwise have remained an internal political dispute into a matter being examined by law enforcement.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that detectives were reviewing the video and conducting interviews as they examine the circumstances surrounding Tyus’ comments. No criminal charge had been announced as of the latest reports.
Aldridge, who represents the 14th Ward, made clear that he did not regard the statement as harmless political rhetoric.
“Gun violence is not a joke,” Aldridge said. “I’ve had family members die from it, and the fact that sitting Alderwoman Sharon Tyus said she would like to put a ‘bullet in my head’ at the Homer G. Phillips meeting with residents is something I don’t take lightly.”
Aldridge has also sought a restraining order following the incident, adding another legal dimension to the increasingly bitter dispute.
Tyus, however, has rejected the suggestion that she was making a literal threat.
In a subsequent statement, she characterized the language as an analogy rooted in a wartime scenario. She said her point was that she considered Aldridge someone she trusted the least in a hypothetical situation involving people fighting together in a foxhole.
“At no time in the past, current or future time did I plan any violence,” Tyus said in her statement. She also said she does not own a gun.
The dispute appears to be tied to a much larger disagreement over the future of the Homer G. Phillips facility.
The building is owned by the city and operated under a lease arrangement. Tyus and Aldridge have been involved in competing efforts concerning legislation and management of the property. Aldridge had contacted residents about potentially moving forward with legislation concerning the facility, while Tyus has argued that additional financial information and accountability were necessary before the lease could proceed.
The political history between the two lawmakers also goes back several years.
Tyus has accused Aldridge of benefiting from her political support before later opposing her on issues including seniority within the Board of Aldermen. Aldridge, meanwhile, has pointed to what he describes as a pattern of inflammatory comments and confrontational behavior from Tyus.
The controversy has now prompted action from the leadership of the Board of Aldermen.
Board President Megan Green filed a resolution calling on Tyus to apologize to Aldridge and directing consideration of a formal censure. Green said disagreements between elected officials are a normal part of government, but argued that violent rhetoric crosses a line.
Mayor Cara Spencer also addressed the controversy, saying threats of violence have no place in St. Louis or elsewhere. She described the remarks as deeply troubling, particularly amid broader concerns about political violence.
The episode has also renewed scrutiny of Tyus’ previous confrontations inside City Hall. Local reporting has documented other contentious exchanges involving the longtime alderwoman, including previous remarks directed at fellow lawmakers.
For now, the situation remains unresolved.
Police are continuing to review the video and interview people about what happened. Meanwhile, the Board of Aldermen is considering whether Tyus should face formal censure and whether she should be required to apologize.
Tyus remains the elected representative for St. Louis’ 12th Ward, while Aldridge represents the 14th Ward.
What began as a bitter disagreement over senior housing, legislation and political trust has now become a much more serious controversy involving police scrutiny, a requested restraining order and possible disciplinary action against a sitting city lawmaker.
