Five Arrested During St. Louis Mayor's Address

Protesters disrupted the State of the City speech, leading to charges against five individuals.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffed wrists against a stark black background, the metal cuffs and skin texture dramatically illuminated by a harsh camera flash, conveying the gritty, investigative nature of the arrests.The arrests during the mayor's address expose the tensions between free speech rights and public order in St. Louis.St. Louis Today

Five people were arrested and charged with various offenses after disrupting the St. Louis mayor's State of the City address on Friday evening. The arrests came as demonstrators, some expressing concerns about the city's response to last year's tornado, interrupted the mayor's speech at City Hall.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between city officials and some community members over issues like disaster response and public safety. The arrests during a high-profile mayoral address also raise questions about balancing free speech rights with maintaining order at such events.

The details

According to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office, the five individuals charged are: Alexis Martin, 36, with general peace disturbance and resisting arrest; August Kelly, 35, with interfering with a police officer; Caleb Jackson, 28, with interfering with a police officer and traffic warrants; Inez Bordeaux, 45, with general peace disturbance; and Kaitlyn Killgo, 36, with interfering with a police officer. Police said they gave warnings to the demonstrators before taking action to remove them from the event.

  • The State of the City address took place on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • The arrests occurred during the mayor's speech at City Hall.

The players

Cara Spencer

The mayor of St. Louis, delivering her first State of the City address after taking office a year ago.

Mitch McCoy

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Director of Public Affairs and Information, who provided a statement about the incident.

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What they’re saying

“We understand that situations like this can be tense and, at times, unsettling for those in attendance and for the broader community watching it unfold. We respect the right to peacefully express views. Our goal is always to allow that expression to happen safely, while ensuring that directions given to maintain order are followed.”

— Mitch McCoy, SLMPD Director of Public Affairs and Information

What’s next

The five individuals charged will face court proceedings in the coming weeks to determine the outcomes of their cases.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing the right to free speech and public protest with the need to maintain order and safety at high-profile civic events. It also highlights the tensions between some community members and city officials over issues like disaster response and public services.