ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Three teenagers were taken into custody after a 17-year-old boy was killed Friday night in a shooting in north St. Louis County.
The St. Louis County Police Department said officers with its North County Precinct responded shortly before 10 p.m. to a shooting on the 1800 block of High Sun Drive, near the Florissant city limits. Officers found the teenager shot in a parking lot.
The boy was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police identified him Saturday morning as Jayden McCain.
Three boys, ages 15, 16 and 17, are in custody for second-degree murder at the St. Louis County Family Court, police said.
A homicide investigation is underway.
5 On Your Side spoke to McCain's half sister, Mya Holland, on Saturday.
Holland said her 17-year-old brother was a junior at Hazelwood West and was eager for the future.
"He had a lot of plans and goals for himself. He really wanted to graduate and walk across the stage," Holland shared.
Holland said she doesn't know the connection behind the crime.
"I'm not sure if they go to school with him maybe. Not only that I had to lose someone that I loved but their families are losing people that they loved," she pointed.
But she was shocked to hear about the swift arrests.
Holland told 5 On Your Side that a witness told police the description of the suspect's car, which was a grey Kia.
"I was thinking maybe they won’t find who it is because so many people are stealing cars so maybe they won't. I guess that gave them enough and they found them in Bellefontaine," she explained.
She explained her brother was at their place on the 1800 block of High Sun Drive when he was shot.
"All I know he was outside and walking back to the house and there was like maybe five or six times they shot but two of the bullets hit him behind of the head," she said.
That's when her friend and owner of the condo called her, after she already called police and performed CPR on McCain.
Holland rushed to the hospital, but McCain didn't make it.
She said, "I tried to meet him up at the hospital and maybe see him and they said he had only 30 minutes. They said he wasn’t breathing on his own that well. Whatever the reason is was that they did that to him, I don't think it was worth it... taking his life like that, he was so young."
Holland remembers her brother as loving, caring and mature.
"His mom passed when he was five or six and our dad passed in 2019. He's been through a lot, not having his parents. It it really hurts, we've been through a lot with each other these two years. It hurts me knowing he's not here," she said with tears streaming down her face.
While the pain is piercing, Holland said she is comforted of where he could be going.
"I'm happy he can be with his mom and his dad now. It hurts but I know he is happy and at peace," she told 5 On Your Side.
McCain's family has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay for funeral arrangements.
Holland plans to bury her brother next to their father in St. Louis County.
A spokesperson with Hazelwood School District said they have counselors available for any students that need to talk or need additional emotional support.
Police said more information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators. To remain anonymous or possibly receive a reward, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS(8477).