Two 17-year-old boys were shot in an alley in St. Louis' O'Fallon neighborhood Tuesday after crossing paths with a pair of masked men, police say. The teens told officers they were walking in the 4200 block of East Lee Avenue when they saw the masked men, turned to walk away, and were fired on. Both were hit but suffered non-life-threatening wounds and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
What police say
According to First Alert 4, officers were alerted after the teenagers showed up at a hospital and told detectives they had been shot in the alley as they tried to leave the area. Police said both victims are expected to survive. Investigators are canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance footage and potential witnesses who might help identify the masked suspects.
Police seek witnesses
The St. Louis Regional Crime Stoppers hotline takes anonymous tips 24/7 at 1-866-371-8477 and may offer cash rewards for information that leads to arrests, according to St. Louis Regional Crime Stoppers. Tipsters can remain anonymous and can also submit information online or through the P3 app.
Where it happened
The reported shooting occurred in the O'Fallon neighborhood on the city's north side, near sections of Lee Avenue and O'Fallon Park, according to City of St. Louis. Police are urging neighbors to review doorbell and security camera footage and share anything that looks suspicious with investigators.
Context
Police officials say community tips are often key to solving shooting cases, even as the department reports improving numbers. SLMPD's year-end CompStat for 2025 showed homicides dropped to 141 and shooting incidents declined by roughly 28 percent, according to SLMPD. Investigators note that video from nearby homes and businesses frequently provides the crucial leads that move cases forward.
If you have information, call detectives at 314-444-0001, according to First Alert 4. CrimeStoppers also accepts anonymous tips at 1-866-371-8477 and offers cash rewards for information that leads to arrests, according to St. Louis Regional Crime Stoppers.
