Tragedy struck in North Hampton as the St. Louis Fire Department responded to a residential fire, only to discover a scene that swiftly shifted from a recovery to a criminal investigation. Yesterday night, firefighters battled a blaze on the 5000 block of Pernod, where they stumbled upon an adult male victim with substantial burns. As they administered lifesaving measures, it became clear the individual had suffered more than fire’s wrath — he had been shot.
The report from the scene indicates that the initial call to firefighters was made around 5:40 p.m. However, it wasn't until the man was removed from the inferno's clutches that the true gravity of the situation began to emerge. Efforts to save his life were to ultimately prove in vain; the man was pronounced dead after being conveyed to an area hospital. According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, detectives from the Homicide Division were summoned to take the lead on what has now become a dual-front investigation: one into the fire's origins and another into the violent act that preceded it.
Details about the incident are still limited. The man's identity, the reason for the shooting, and any suspects have not been shared yet.
The St. Louis Police Department has not released more details yet but says the investigation is ongoing. They are asking anyone with information to come forward to help explain what led to the man's tragic death.
