ST. LOUIS — A man has been arrested and charged after three people were killed and four others were injured in a north St. Louis shooting last month.
Dianthony Lake, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder, assault, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held without bond.
At around 7:25 p.m. on June 21, St. Louis police were called to Sullivan and Warne avenues for a report of a shooting.
When they arrived, police said they found two men shot near a convenience store. The victims had multiple gunshot wounds throughout their bodies. They were pronounced dead at the scene. The men were identified as 40-year-old Kevin Page and 31-year-old Charlie Anderson.
A third man's body was found on the school grounds of nearby Farragut Elementary School. He was identified as 44-year-old OJ Pernell.
Four other men were injured in the shooting and found throughout the area.
A 47-year-old man was found in critical condition at a nearby business with gunshot wounds to his torso and legs. A 29-year-old man was found about a mile away; he had been shot in his lower extremities and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A 28-year-old man drove himself to the hospital after he had been shot in the arm. And a 30-year-old man was found in Overland with a graze wound to his back.
The St. Louis police homicide division is handling the ongoing investigation.
At this time, investigators believe all of the victims who died also were suspects in the shooting, along with the 47-year-old man who was injured and survived. However, police described the investigation as "fluid and ongoing" and that the roles and motive are still being determined and may change as more information is gathered.
Friends held a vigil for Page, a local business owner they said was trying to improve his community.
“Kevin was a good guy. I knew him ever since he was a kid. He just wanted to help people in our neighborhood and improve our area. I was devastated when I heard he had been killed,” said Mark Calvert Tuesday evening.
Page’s girlfriend was too upset to talk on camera.
She told 5 On Your Side Page “was a humble, kind-hearted guy who did so much for so many people in this neighborhood. Everybody knew him. I can’t believe this happened. He had three children who are just one, six and seven,” the woman said.
Another member of the community said his convenience store was a haven for everyone in the community.
“I came by the store today just to see that this really happened to such a nice man. He created an environment that was like a welcome wagon to all denominations, nationalities, the elderly and especially the young. He really cared about the kids and gave them free snacks often,” said Barbara Jordan.
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).
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/