ST. LOUIS — A deadly shooting overnight in downtown St. Louis left one young person dead and 11 others injured, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
The shooting happened just after 1 a.m. Sunday in the area of North 14th Street and Washington Avenue, police said.
St. Louis police Chief Robert Tracy said during a noon press conference Sunday, the shooting occurred on the fifth floor of a building located at 1409 Washington Avenue in an office space environment.
A suspect was in custody Sunday, but detectives believe multiple shooters could have opened fire inside the commercial real estate building.
City property records show the building is owned by TCM Realty LLC, a Ballwin-based company. The firm’s website shows a number of available coworking spaces in the building renting for $425-$700 a month.
A preliminary investigation indicated that there was a large social gathering that invited teens from across the region.
A total of 12 victims were impacted by the shooting. Makao Moore, 17, died at the scene. Eleven others were injured:
- 19-year-old male shot in the arm, groin and legs
- 19-year-old male shot in the back
- 18-year-old male shot in the left side
- 17-year-old male grazed by a bullet to the face and treated by St. Louis paramedics at the scene
- 16-year-old female shot in the leg
- 16-year-old female shot in the lower back
- 16-year-old female grazed by gunfire to the ankle
- 15-year-old female grazed by gunfire to her left side
- 15-year-old male shot in the right arm, left knee and right ankle
- 17-year-old female shot in right thigh
- 17-year-old female possibly trampled while running down the stairs from the scene and has serious injuries to her spine
An AR-style rifle and handgun were both found at the scene. The handgun was found in the possession of a 17-year-old male suspect taken into custody.
The shooting started inside the office space, and several teens ran from gunfire onto the street.
Several responding officers from multiple police districts arrived at the scene, where multiple shell casings from different firearms were found.
Tracy said the St. Louis police department is trying to keep downtown safer.
Mayor Tishaura Jones spoke Sunday.
"Everyone is welcome downtown, and I mean that," Jones said. "But at the same time, I need families to hear me loud and clear. Downtown is not a 1 a.m. destination for your 15-year-old."
St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Megan E. Green provided a statement regarding Sunday morning's mass shooting, which reads:
"This morning, nine juveniles were injured and another one killed. As families across our city were preparing to celebrate Father’s Day, others were confronting an awful reality.
"It’s devastating when a life is cut short or visited by violence. It’s frustrating when our calls for change seem to go unheard. And it’s unacceptable because no one in our city—no one in our country— should lose a young person to gun violence.
"We’re angry because we know that change won’t come as soon as we would like. And while that may be true, we can’t let it stop us from seeking solutions that keep our loved ones, our neighbors and our young people safe.
"As we continue calling on lawmakers in Jefferson City to keep firearms out of the hands of minors, the Board of Aldermen is taking action to reduce other conditions that have the potential to end in violence. Enacting safeguards to regulate surface parking lots and short-term rentals is a step in the right direction. The Board will also create a rental registry to monitor who owns rental property in the city and how that property is used.
"And we must bring young people to the table and empower them through initiatives like the St. Louis City Youth Council. Their participation is crucial to understanding their needs, prioritizing solutions and preventing similar incidents. We also stand by Mayor Jones’ plan to keep Wohl and Marquette recreation centers open later on Fridays and Saturdays. Giving our youth safe alternatives and spaces to socialize is critical to ensuring their safety.
"Exploring new and innovative solutions puts us on a path toward keeping residents and visitors safe."
There has been a total of 38 people, who are 17 years old or younger, shot this year in the City of St. Louis. Ten of which died from their injuries, according to 5 On Your Side data.
The Homicide Division was requested to investigate. Anyone with information regarding the shooting was asked to contact the division directly at 314-444-5371.
To make an anonymous tip, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
This is a breaking news story. 5 On Your Side will update it as more information becomes available.
Overnight shooting in downtown St. Louis
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.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
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 the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.
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