ST. LOUIS — Police are investigating after a double shooting in St. Louis' The Ville neighborhood left a man dead and a child injured Monday night.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said officers were called to Martin's Market at Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Billups Avenue at around 6:55 p.m. for a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found the two victims inside the business suffering from gunshot wounds to their torsos.
Police said a man was unconscious and not breathing due to "undescribed gunshot wounds." He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified Wednesday as 19-year-old Keon Barnes.
The second victim was a 13-year-old boy. He was awake and alert while being treated for his injuries. In an updated police report released Tuesday morning, police said the teen was taken to a hospital and his vital signs were stable. Police did not give an update on his condition.
Officers on the scene taped off the parking lot of Martin's Market for the investigation; they didn't say whether the shooting happened inside the store. Investigators and the St. Louis medical examiner were both on the scene as of 7:45 p.m.
Police said the suspect or suspects are unknown at this time. No other information about the shooting was provided.
The Homicide Division is handling the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371, or anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
Editor's note: A previous version of this story stated the victim who survived was a man in his 20s, as reported by police Monday night. It has been updated to reflect new information provided by police Tuesday morning.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
- Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to “stabilize inner-city neighborhoods.” One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program. To learn more, call 314-381-8200 or visit https://www.betterfamilylife.org/
- Life Outside of Violence “helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence.” To learn more, call 314-327-6697 or email: ProjectLOV@WUSTL.edu
- The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership between and Saint Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth. To learn more, visit https://www.ulstl.com/anti-crime-initiative.html
- Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities. To learn more, visit https://cvg.org/
