ST. LOUIS — A 19-year-old woman was shot and killed Saturday afternoon at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station, police said.
St. Louis police officers responded to the scene in the 200 block of DeBaliviere Avenue shortly after 3:30 p.m. The woman was not conscious or breathing when they arrived. She was taken by ambulance to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
On Tuesday, she was identified as Jordan Gunn, a 19-year-old woman from St. Louis County.
Police said Sunday evening that a 17-year-old girl was arrested in connection with the killing. She was being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in St. Louis County on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
"Investigators were able to quickly identify a suspect in this case, aided by the robust surveillance system of Metro and the quick assistance provided by Metro public safety," St. Louis police spokesperson Sgt. Charles Wall said.
Police said the victim was shot in the chest. It was unclear what led up to the shooting, which happened steps away from the Missouri History Museum and Forest Park.
"It's just when you're actually here it's unnerving," said Diane Legg, who was visiting St. Louis from Australia with her husband Peter.
It's a crime putting residents in the DeBaliviere Place Neighborhood on alert.
"It's very unfortunate, but I guess it comes with the territory I suppose," Barbara Rodriguez, a neighbor of the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station, said.
The shooting happened on Saturday in the middle of broad daylight, while joggers were out on the trials enjoying their afternoon.
Rodriguez is a traveling nurse and lives in one of the buildings next to Forest Park.
"The Metrolink is literally connected to the airport," Rodriguez said. "I just get off the Metrolink and my gate is right there, so it's so convenient. Then I went to a Blues game, and it literally is right there."
A native of California, Rodriguez added, "The Metrolink is so convenient. I wish L.A. had something like this."
In a statement before the suspect's arrest, Metro Transit said, “We are saddened at the events which transpired this afternoon."
"We are not immune to the plague of violent crimes which affect our region," said Kevin Scott, general manager of security for Bi-State Development, the parent organization of Metro Transit.
It's that violence that has some in this neighborhood taking precautions.
"I don't go out at night, especially being a woman," Rodriguez said. "I can not go out for a jog at night. I won't. I could, but I just won't."
Walking Sunday near the Missouri History Museum were the Leggs from Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney. They're not used to gun violence.
"If someone gets shot in Australia we don't panic because we're not involved in their business," Peter Legg said. "It's different over here. They use guns for robberies and all sorts of things."
They're headed to Kansas City next after flying into Texas last Tuesday, eventually making their way to Colorado and Salt Lake City before going back home this summer.
"I guess you just hope it's not going to happen around you because we really want to have a look at the world and every part of the world has a dangerous spot," Diane said.
"Metro Transit public safety stands steadfast in its commitment to our community’s safety and to our commitment of collaboration with all local police authorities," Scott said. "Metro security assets at the station area and the Metro security team are coordinating video assets with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, who is leading the investigation."
Scott said that Bi-State Development would not release any additional statements on the incident.
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