ST. LOUIS — A 74-year-old grandfather was taken into custody after police said he shot his granddaughter during an argument in south St. Louis late Monday night.
According to a release from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the 19-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after she was shot in the head by her grandfather. The incident happened at around 11 p.m. on the 4600 block of South Broadway.
Pierre Irving was charged with two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the Monday evening shooting.
According to the probable cause statement, Irving and the victims were living together in an apartment at River Bluff Manor. Police said the teen and her mother got into an argument with Irving because he was not keeping his portion of the apartment clean. Irving, who police said had been drinking, became upset and grabbed a gun.
Police said Irving shot at his granddaughter and her mother. The mother was not struck, but his granddaughter was struck in the head. Police said she was listed in critical condition and had unstable vital signs. According to the probable cause statement, the bullet is still lodged in her head.
Court documents said Irving then went down the hall and gave his gun to a neighbor, which the statement said was caught on Ring doorbell camera.
Robert Green, who lives on S. Broadway Avenue, looked out his window Monday night at the River Bluff apartment complex.
"I just kind of saw the lights, the sirens and lights. Across the street. I kind of looked out the window and noticed there were ambulances and police cars. It seemed like they had everything under control. So I kind of went back to bed," he said.
Green said he can't believe a family argument would result in such violence.
"No, family is like what you're born in," Green said. "You only get that one set of people to really share the blood with. So, you have to take the time and take that seriously."
Irving was taken into custody and being held without bond, according to online court documents.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Safe Connections Crisis Helpline at 314-531-2003. You can also text that number from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, free of charge.
Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments also has a crisis line at 314-993-2777. ALIVE also has hotline specifically for those in Franklin County at 800-941-9144.
The Women's Safe House can be reached 24 hours a day at 314-772-4535.