Gunfire shattered a tense Saturday afternoon at West County Center, where shots in the parking garage left multiple cars damaged but, according to officials, no one hurt. Shoppers, workers, and weekend mall walkers bolted for exits as officers rushed to the Ballas parking garage, and at least one store briefly locked its doors while people scrambled out.
Police response
Officers from the Des Peres Department of Public Safety were called to the mall at about 12:43 p.m. after reports of people with guns, according to First Alert 4. The department told the outlet the confrontation appeared to start as an argument between two small groups, each with roughly four to six people.
Damage and investigation
"Officers confirmed shots were fired," the Des Peres department told First Alert 4. Several vehicles were found with bullet damage, and investigators say they have a description of those involved from mall surveillance video. Authorities are asking anyone who saw what happened, or who captured video or photos, to come forward.
Mall context
West County Center is one of St. Louis County's largest enclosed malls and pulls shoppers from across the region. It has seen serious trouble before, including a 2021 shooting inside the center that left one person dead, as reported by KMOX. The mall's size and profile have kept security and policing a regular topic of conversation among city officials, retailers, and customers.
How to help
Detectives say they are reviewing surveillance footage from around the mall and following up on leads. The Des Peres Department of Public Safety is asking anyone with information to call 314-835-6235 or, for non-emergency tips, 314-835-6200. For urgent situations, residents are directed to dial 911, per the city's public safety page.
