ST. LOUIS — A man was shot and killed early Sunday morning near Harris-Stowe State University.
At about 3 a.m. Sunday, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a shooting at Laclede Avenue and Ewing Avenue by Harris-Stowe.
"I feel like Harris-Stowe, it makes a difference for me," sophomore Mykale Gladden told 5 On Your Side. "It's in my town. It's not too far. It's a small little school where you can make all your networking and connections."
Gladden is studying to become a police officer or homicide detective. She said she didn't get any notifications about the shooting from her university on Sunday but instead heard about it from a family member.
"What I thought about was, for one, it's crazy and it's a person that's my age," Gladden said. "I feel like there's things that shouldn't be happening at our age."
Breaking Generational Poverty Founder Precious Jones visited that same intersection 14 hours later with Gladden.
"It's really heartbreaking because it takes me back to the phone call about my 20-year-old son being pronounced at around 3 a.m. from gunshots, from homicide," Precious said.
When St. Louis police officers arrived on Laclede Avenue Sunday, they found a man shot multiple times. He was later identified as 21-year-old Nicholas Weekly of Maplewood.
That's one of the reasons why Moms Demand Action is spending the next few weeks focusing on young men and providing them with prevention resources.
"We advocate for our remaining sons and all the sons that we know are out here in the community that someone's not watching over or people aren't taking any particular interest in," said Sharon Williams, a local chapter lead of Moms Demand Action.
Williams lost her son in 2008 after he was shot 14 times in the Mark Twain neighborhood.
"I fear for our young people in our city, who have to travel from work or to school during the daytime or during the evening," Williams said.
The man on Sunday was taken to a nearby hospital later pronounced dead.
The city of St. Louis data reports 106 homicides from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31. That's down 23% compared to last August.
The mayor's office released a statement to 5 On Your Side on Sunday that said, in part, "Mayor Tishaura Jones' administration is using every tool in our toolbox to continue to reduce violence in our region, which has fallen each year of her administration."
However, Precious Jones said it's still shocking for a deadly shooting to take place near the Wells Fargo and Harris-Stowe campuses.
"These people are working and the other are getting an education," Precious Jones said. "You wouldn't expect it. I wouldn't expect it to come here, so it just goes to show that crime is happening. It's steady growing, not down 50%, because this is not an area that I would expect that to happen in."
The St. Louis Homicide Division was continuing to investigate Sunday's shooting.
St. Louis police said in a statement on Sunday, "The loss of any life— particularly by the hands of another person armed with a gun— is horrible. Our detectives are working around the clock to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted and justice is served."
Harris-Stowe President LaTonia Collins-Smith shared the following message with university faculty, staff and students on Sunday:
I regret to inform you of an unfortunate incident that took place early Sunday morning, October 13, 2024, near the intersection of Laclede Avenue and Ewing Street, just off campus. A large crowd had gathered in the area when gunfire erupted. One individual, who was NOT affiliated with HSSU, was struck and transported to the hospital. Tragically, despite medical efforts, the individual did not survive.
Harris-Stowe Public Safety officers were the first to arrive on the scene and immediately contacted the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and EMS, who quickly took over the situation.
As we celebrate Homecoming Week, it is more important than ever that we remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of our community. Public Safety will be patrolling our campus with increased diligence, and we ask that each of you remain aware and take steps to protect yourselves and those around you.
I urge all members of our campus community to report any suspicious activities or behavior in the vicinity of campus. Your awareness and timely reporting can prevent dangerous incidents from escalating. Please follow all recommendations from Public Safety and stay alert, especially during large events and gatherings.
Safety Tips for Urban University Students:
As part of an urban university community, it’s essential to take extra precautions to stay safe in a busy
city environment. Below are some helpful tips to follow:
- Stay alert: Always be aware of your surroundings, whether on campus or nearby streets. Avoid distractions like headphones or phones when walking, especially at night.
- Travel with a friend: Whenever possible, avoid walking alone, particularly after dark. Walk with friends or use campus safety services for a secure escort.
- Use well-lit routes: Stick to well-lit, populated areas when moving around campus and the surrounding neighborhood. Avoid isolated shortcuts.
- Report suspicious activities: If you see something that seems out of place, report it immediately to Public Safety at (314) 340-3333. Trust your instincts.
- Utilize campus safety resources: Familiarize yourself with emergency call boxes and download the HSSU safety app to access emergency services and real-time safety updates.
- Secure your belongings: Always lock your dorm room and avoid leaving valuables unattended in public spaces.
- Plan your transportation: If you are attending an event off-campus, make sure you have a safe and reliable way to return home. Use rideshare apps or travel with trusted friends.
Let’s come together to ensure a safe and successful Homecoming Week. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Public Safety or the Office of Student Affairs.
Stay safe, and thank you for your continued vigilance.
Moms Demand Action is hosting a public meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 826 Union Blvd., to talk about gun violence prevention steps.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed a quote to Mayor Tishaura Jones. This story has been corrected.
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.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.