A 74-year-old man was injured in a shooting incident late Monday night in the Kingsway West neighborhood. The shooting occurred in the 2800 block of Union, and the man reported that it happened after he and a companion attempted to avoid a confrontation with an erratic individual.

The elderly victim told police that he had just left work around 12:30 a.m. and was walking with his 70-year-old friend when they decided to quickly cross the street to avoid an agitated man who was talking to himself. According to a report by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect seemed to have been offended by their actions, subsequently pulling out a firearm and opening fire on the two men.

The man was struck in the arm by gunfire, while his friend escaped unharmed. The assailant fled the scene post-shooting, and the motives behind the attack remain unclear. Emergency Medical Services responded to the incident and the victim was taken to the hospital, where he has been listed as stable.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department District 5 is to actively investigate the case. No suspect has been apprehended at the time of reporting. "The investigation is ongoing," authorities have stated. This incident marks another account of violence plaguing the streets of the city, as residents and officials alike seek solutions to cease the spiraling gun crime rate.

As the community grapples with the ramifications of this event, further details are expected to emerge. Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is encouraged to get in touch with the local police. For updates and more information, please refer to the official St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department report.