Midnight gunfire in the Spanish Lake neighborhood of north St. Louis County left a teenage boy and a man wounded early Tuesday, authorities said. The 17-year-old and an adult man were taken to area hospitals with injuries that police described as non-life-threatening after officers rushed to the scene. No suspects were in custody as of Tuesday morning, and detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department continue to investigate.
According to KSDK, the man was shot in the leg in the 11600 block of Briarbrae Court, while the 17-year-old was hit on the 11600 block of Petite Chalet Drive. Both were hospitalized with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, the outlet reported, citing the St. Louis County Police Department. Officers originally responded just after midnight after a ShotSpotter activation and found evidence of gunfire in the area.
ShotSpotter Alerted Officers
Police say the automated gun-detection system helped pinpoint where shots were fired and prompted the late-night response. A report from Giffords Law Center notes that ShotSpotter has been deployed in parts of Spanish Lake to help officers find victims and physical evidence more quickly. The technology has its supporters and critics, but local officials have said it can be especially useful when no one calls 911.
Neighborhood Context
Spanish Lake and other parts of north St. Louis County have seen multiple shootings in recent years, according to a homicide tracker maintained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Community groups and local leaders say that pattern of late-night gunfire underscores the need for both enforcement and neighborhood-based prevention efforts. Detectives in this latest case are still working to identify suspects and determine a motive.
How To Help Investigators
The St. Louis County Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 636-529-8210. Anonymous tips can be submitted to St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). For initial coverage of the incident, see reporting from KSDK. Detectives have encouraged anyone with video or other information from the area to come forward.
St. Louis County Police Department detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Persons bureau are leading the investigation and have said updates will be released as new information becomes available.
