By Sharon Stevens

St. Louis (KSDK) - A deadly shooting is raising questions about a culture of violence.

Two young women were killed, and three more people wounded after gunfire rang out in Gravois Park in south St. Louis Thursday night.

It's a story that sounds all too familiar in this area.

So what can stop it?

Some community leaders suggest it may take more gun control.

In a statement released Thursday, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, also known as the AME, called on national and state government leaders to support gun control legislation.

The statement was prompted by the killings in Aurora, Colorado, but Rev. C. Jesse Strong, Presiding Elder for St. Louis and Columbia, says gun violence needs to be addressed in every city and state.

Lonnie Jones lives across the street from Gravois Park where the five teens were shot.

He says a car, a late model Red Charger, drove up, a man got out, and that's when the shooting began. Jones has lived in his house for less than five months.

"We moved over here trying to get into a better environment, but it seems like we've moved into the lion's mouth. Every day, it's some shooting going on or somebody's getting killed," said Jones.

Rev. Strong says changing gun laws is a step in the right direction in terms of curbing violence.

"We want our government to take a stance. That includes the two candidates for president. Rather than say what's going to placate the voters, let's get real with this thing," said Rev. Strong.

The 1994 federal assault weapon ban expired eight years ago.

One of the things the AME is seeking is the reinstatement of that ban.

Reinstatement has been strongly resisted by many gun owners as well the groups such as the National Rifle Association.

KSDK