Three juveniles were injured late Sunday night in an officer-involved shooting in north St. Louis County after police responded to a packed backyard pool party, authorities said. Two teenagers were struck by gunfire and a third was cut by broken glass. All three were taken to area hospitals with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Police detained multiple youths at the scene, and the officer who fired has been placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.
What Happened
St. Louis County police said officers were called late Sunday to a house party off Prendergast near Bellefontaine Road, described as a pool party with more than 100 teens. When officers arrived, juveniles began scattering across private property. Responding units shifted to the intersection of Bellefontaine Road and Larimore Road, where fireworks were reportedly being discharged and thrown near police vehicles.
According to police, an officer perceived a threat from a vehicle and opened fire. A male teen and a female teen were hit by gunfire, and a second female was injured by broken glass. All three were transported for treatment. As reported by First Alert 4.
Investigation and Officer Status
The St. Louis County Police Department said the officer who fired is 33 years old, has six years on the force, and is now on administrative leave while detectives review the shooting. The department called the leave "standard protocol" as its crimes-against-persons unit conducts the investigation. No officers were reported injured.
Nine juveniles were taken into custody at the scene, police said. As reported by First Alert 4.
How to Help
St. Louis County police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact investigators at the department's non-emergency line, 636-529-8210. The department's public information office lists additional contact and media channels on its website. The St. Louis County Police Department headquarters are at 7900 Forsyth Blvd in Clayton. St. Louis County Police Department.
Why It Matters
Unsupervised summer gatherings and fireworks have increasingly strained police resources across the St. Louis area during holiday weekends, leading to large juvenile detentions and broader public-safety operations in recent years. In July 2025, downtown arrests tied to fireworks unrest left dozens detained and prompted city officials to call for stronger parental supervision, underscoring the challenges officers face when large, unsanctioned groups assemble, as reported in coverage of the city's Fourth of July fireworks chaos.
