ST. LOUIS — Police are investigating after a male victim was shot and killed in south St. Louis Wednesday evening.
According to an incident report from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, a male victim was shot at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police said the shooting happened near the intersection of Pestalozzi Street and California Avenue in the city's Benton Park West neighborhood.
When police arrived at the scene of the shooting, they found the victim with a gunshot wound. Police said he was unconscious and not breathing when they arrived and he died from his injuries a short time later.
On Thursday, he was identified as 19-year-old Demario Smith. Police said he lived a few blocks away on Pestalozzi Street.
No other information about the shooting has been provided.
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.
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 an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
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.
