A 15-year-old boy was shot Friday afternoon near the intersection of South Grand and Park Avenue in south St. Louis, according to police, turning a busy corridor into an active crime scene. The teen was taken to a hospital and is listed in stable condition, and authorities say one person has been detained.
Police told First Alert 4 the shooting happened around 4 p.m. Officers remained on scene into the evening, pulling security-camera footage while detectives worked to piece together what led up to the gunfire. One person has been detained in connection with the incident, but investigators have not shared information about a possible motive or the type of weapon used.
South Grand Corridor
The stretch of South Grand near Park has seen more than its share of trouble lately. Earlier this year, a daylight shooting left a woman fighting for her life, rattling neighbors and business owners who are used to steady foot traffic near Tower Grove Park. As daylight gunfire on South Grand was reported, residents voiced mounting concerns about bullets flying in the middle of the day along the commercial strip.
City Response
City officials, well aware of the repeated shootings, have been pushing a mix of prevention and intervention efforts. They have promoted free gun locks and expanded youth programming in neighborhoods that bear the brunt of violence. The City of St. Louis public safety news page outlines those initiatives and lists resources available to families trying to keep kids away from guns and conflict.
Investigation
In the wake of Friday’s shooting, detectives are canvassing the area, talking with witnesses and collecting additional video from nearby homes and businesses. So far, no formal charges have been filed, and police have not released the names of the wounded teen or the person detained. As First Alert 4 noted, investigators were still actively processing the scene when the first reports went public.
How to Help
Police are urging anyone who saw something or has relevant footage to speak up. Tips can be submitted to St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers, which accepts anonymous information at 1-866-371-TIPS and through its website. Residents can also contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department directly, where additional options for submitting tips are listed.
