RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Police are investigating an armed carjacking in a Richmond Heights church parking lot.
The incident happened after a charity event over the weekend and a 17-year-old was the victim.
A night that was supposed to be filled with love and joy, quickly turned into fear and terror for many.
According to Keelyn Schwegel, nearly 200 people filled the Immacolata Catholic Church's gymnasium on Saturday night.
"Everyone was dressed up in their gangster outfits and top hats and fringe and fur," she said.
Schwegel said everyone that was decked out in the Roaring '20s theme was there to support Special Spaces St. Louis.
"This is our annual fundraiser that we pretty much fund the rooms with," she said.
The nonprofit creates dream bedroom makeovers for cancer children undergoing treatment.
As co-director, Schwegel said, the night was going off without a hitch until a brazen crime ruined it all.
"We're trying to really help people and it's just really heartbreaking that this goes on," she said.
A little after 9 p.m., a 17-year-old volunteer was carrying out items he won at the silent auction when he was carjacked at gunpoint, according to Schwegel.
"He said that they were loading the things into the car and a car pulled up and a guy jumped out and he had his hands like this and said, 'give me your keys,' and it was that quick. They just threw the keys, and he took off," she said.
Not only did the crime take place during the Special Spaces charity event, but according to Schwegel, it also happened while priests and families were at the playground with kids after mass.
"We felt safe there. I felt safe at the parish, the church and Richmond Heights. I felt safe there, and now I don't," she said.
It's a feeling that Schwegel is experiencing more and more lately.
"It's really upsetting, too, because I was born and raised in St Louis and it's just happening so much in so many places, and it kills me," she said.
With the cruelty now hitting so close to home, Schwegel said it's time for officials to step up.
"I really hope that our leaders and our community can get a handle on this, and we can curb some of this violence. It's just, it's sad," she said.
The Richmond Heights Police Department told 5 On Your Side the stolen car was found Monday morning abandoned in East St. Louis.
It is unclear if the auction items the teenager won were recovered.
Those auction items included Cardinals player cards, a signed Robert Thomas St. Louis Blues jersey and a ticket.
Special Spaces St. Louis is trying to work with the Blues to get another autographed Robert Thomas jersey for the 17-year-old.
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