ST. LOUIS — Two teenage girls were shot Saturday evening in downtown St. Louis.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said it responded to a call for a large group of juveniles "gathering and fighting" at about 8 p.m. in downtown St. Louis.
Police said while they were responding to the scene, gunshots were heard south of the scene near Chestnut Street. Officers then witnessed a group of juveniles running on 8th and 9th streets away from the shots.
Police said they located a 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old girl who were walking westbound on Chestnut between 8th and 9th streets when they heard the gunshots behind them. Both girls were shot in the thigh, according to St. Louis police. Neither girl knew where the gunshots came from, police said. They were conscious and breathing when taken to a hospital for treatment.
The area of 8th and Chestnut streets was taped off by police, and a 5 On Your Side photographer counted as many as 20 shell casings. Nearby, 9th and Pine streets were also taped off, and a person was in handcuffs.
St. Louis police said witnesses in the area gave a tip to a sheriff's deputy of a possible suspect. The deputy located and detained a 14-year-old boy who was listed as a suspect. Police said while the boy was detained, another suspect, a 13-year-old boy, took a bag from the first boy and ran.
Police said a short foot chase ensued, but the 13-year-old was detained.
Both boys were arrested and charged with failure to obey a lawful order. St. Louis police said the boys were turned over to the juvenile courts and released to their guardians.
Police also listed a third male of unknown age as a suspect.
No other information about the shooting was released as of Monday morning. This story will be updated as more information is confirmed.
Hours earlier and a few blocks away, St. Louisians took to Keiner Plaza for "Wear Orange Weekend" to bring attention to the nation's gun violence problem. Advocates and victims alike wore the color orange to rally and call on legislators to tighten up gun laws.