The Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad was in Warren County last week investigating the death of a local man Wednesday, Sept. 27. The case was turned back over to the control of the Warren County Sheriff's Department on Sunday.

Airk M. Rader, 21, was found with a gunshot wound at his residence on the 21500 block of Township Line Road northwest of Warrenton.

“Mr. Rader was found by his roommate at about 4:30 p.m. (Wednesday) unconscious,” said Capt. Jon Romas with the Major Case Squad. “Initial indications from the scene of the investigation show that this is not a random crime.”

The homicide might have been drug related, Romas said. Online court records show Rader has prior convictions for drug-related offenses in Callaway County and St. Louis County.

Investigators have not released information about any persons of interest. 

Romas said the Major Case Squad was activated at the request of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department to aid in the investigation. More than 20 investigators came to assist beginning Thursday. On Sunday, the case was turned back over to the sheriff’s department and the Major Case Squad was deactivated, Romas said.

Warren County Sheriff Kevin Harrison could not be reached for comment before press time.

Lt. Matt Schmutz of the sheriff’s department said deputies increased patrols in the area after the homicide, but said there isn’t reason to believe there is any further danger.

Schmutz said Rader and his roommate are the only two people known to have been living at the residence. He said the sheriff’s department has recently received complaints about loud parties there, but nothing he is aware of that would have been a warning sign for future violence. 

Rader is believed to have only been living at the residence for a few months.

Anyone with information about Rader’s death is asked to call the Warren County tip line at 636-377-2370 or call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.

Airk Rader