A man was shot in the hip in Forest Park Southeast after a confrontation that turned violent, as reported by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The shooting occurred on Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of McRee and S. Vandeventer Avenue, within the limits of what is known to some as the Grove neighborhood.
The victim, a 35-year-old male, later sought help at a local hospital where officers were dispatched roughly at 6 p.m. According to the man's account, he and his 36-year-old brother were halted in traffic when an individual approached them to seemingly sell drugs. When they declined, the situation escalated quickly into an attempted robbery. "The 35-year-old claims the suspect asked if they wanted to buy drugs, and when they declined, the suspect produced a handgun and announced a robbery," detailed the SLMPD police report. It was in this moment of high stakes and high stress that the man struck out to defend himself, a choice to act upon which was met with the suspect firing a gunshot, resulting in the man's injury.
The victim is presently listed in stable condition after being treated for the gunshot wound.
The authorities have not yet released a description of the suspect, who was said to have been driving a Hyundai Sonata at the time of the incident. St. Louis Police District 2 is continuing to investigate the shooting and is calling for anyone with information to come forward. "Anyone with a tip about this incident who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a possible reward for their tip can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477)," encouraged a statement from SLMPD.
