ST. LOUIS — St. Louis police are investigating after a shooting left a victim and a suspect dead Thursday evening in south St. Louis.
According to an incident report from St. Louis police, the shooting happened at 5 p.m. on South Broadway near the intersection of Primm Street in the city's Patch neighborhood.
In a Friday morning update, police identified one of the victims as 32-year-old Mario Martinez of Lemay. The man who police said shot Martinez was also killed.
The suspect, 23-year-old Robert Liska of Lemay, was pointing his gun at people in St. Louis Square Park prior to the shooting, according to preliminary investigation.
A 39-year-old man who witnessed the incident told police he saw Liska shoot Martinez and intervened to help. They struggled over the gun until Liska struck the man in his eye with the weapon and ran inside a nearby apartment.
A 19-year-old man was inside the apartment at the time. He told police that he feared for his safety and fired shots at Liska, striking him.
Both Lisak and Martinez were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are trying to determine what led up to Liska shooting Martinez. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Division at 314-444-5371 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
An "officer in need of aid" call came out in the area of the shooting due to a large crowd near the scene, but no officers were injured.
No other information was provided.
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.
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."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
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.