ST. LOUIS — The victim of a fatal shooting in St. Louis' Dutchtown neighborhood in early October was identified Friday afternoon.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Division was initially requested on Tuesday, Oct. 10 to investigate. Police said a 19-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound in the head in an alley just before 7 p.m. Tuesday in the 3400 block of Osage Street in Dutchtown, near Marquette Park. He was not conscious or breathing when officers arrived.
On Friday, St. Louis police identified the shooting victim as 19-year-old Latrell Prentice from St. Louis.
St. Louis police did not say whether there is currently a person of interest or suspect in connection to the fatal shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call homicide investigators at 314-444-5371 or to remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward, contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS(8477).
Within the last months, 5 On Your Side has reported a number of shootings that happened in the south St. Louis area, specifically the Dutchtown neighborhood, spanning back to mid-July.
- In mid-July, homicide detectives investigated a shooting that left a person dead on the night of July 17. The shooting happened just before 10 p.m. in the 2700 block of Gasconade Street near California Avenue. Police said a man was found shot in the head and later died at the hospital. Limited information surrounding the victim's age and identity has been released as the investigation continues.
- In late July, a child and two adults were shot near the intersection of Keokuk Street and Nebraska Avenue as the result of a shooting on July 24. The husband, wife, and 12-year-old son were all injured and taken to a local hospital. An investigator at the scene said a man started shooting after his children got into an argument with the 12-year-old boy. Police arrested the man.
- In late August, police launched a homicide investigation after a victim was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his head in the early hours of Aug. 24 in the 3600 block of Keokuk Street.
- In early September, another investigation opened as a result of a fatal shooting. On Sept. 6, gunshots were heard in the evening in the 4100 block of South Grand Boulevard. A person was found dead in the back of a vacant building with gunshot wounds. The victim's identity hasn't been released.
- Hours after this incident, a man was injured in a shooting a block away on the 3400 block of Keokuk Street on Oct. 11.
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.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thinking of suicide, help is available 24 hours a day through several hotlines. Use the numbers below or click the links for more information.
