On January 29, 1997 at approximately 2:00 pm Detective Willie Neal met with his supervisor on the parking lot of the undercover office of the Bureau of Drug Enforcement and reported that he was trying to set up a drug purchase. Detective Neal then spoke to the acting supervisor of the Special Investigations Unit, advised him he had setup a deal to purchase marijuana on Natural Bridge and needed the detective to assist him. They went to the Popeye's Restaurant at 6125 Natural Bridge in Pine Lawn. Unable to locate the subject Detective Neal suggested they check a nearby liquor store the subject frequented. At approximately 3:15 pm, Detective Neal parked his undercover car at Mac's Liquor store located at 5956 Natural Bridge Road within the city limits. At approximately 3:45 pm a male approached the passenger side of the undercover vehicle, looked in a proceeded to the rear of the vehicle. Detective Neal exited the vehicle, greeted the suspect and walked to the rear of the building. The assisting detective could see Detective Neal's left side and arm. Almost immediately he saw Detective Neal raise his hand as though he was raising his hands about his head. The assisting detective exited the vehicle and approached with his gun drawn and observed Detective Neal lay down on the ground in a prone position and that the suspect had him at gunpoint with his weapon pointed at Detective Neal's head. The assisting detective identified himself as a police officer and told the suspect to drop the gun. The suspect turned and fired several times at the assisting detective. The detective then returned fire, firing twice at the suspect. The assisting detective approached and looked around the corner of the building to see the suspect fleeing from the rear of the building. Detective Neal had been shot during the exchange of gunfire. Detective Neal approached the assisting detective who helped him to the undercover vehicle. Medical technicians arrived and pronounced Detective Neal dead at 4:02 pm.

The St Louis Medical Examiner determined that Detective Neal died of a single bullet wound which entered the side of his chest, traveled through both lungs and his right upper arm. It was determined that the bullet that struck Detective Neal came from the assisting detective's pistol.

Detective Neal had served on the department for 6 years, working undercover for the last three.