ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating after a toddler was found dead and a man was found fatally shot.
Police were called to an apartment on the 5100 block of Pennsylvania Avenue at about 6:50 Thursday evening for a report of a shooting in the city's Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
When they arrived, officers said they found a 3-year-old girl dead. Police said there was no obvious trauma to her body and it's up to the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.
In the basement of the home, they found a 60-year-old man unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to the back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the 3-year-old girl is Octavia Williams and the 60-year-old man is Tommy Williams.
Homicide detectives were requested to investigate. One person was taken into custody.
Officers were seen searching a dumpster in a nearby alley and knocking on neighbors' doors to ask for video from their security cameras.
More than a dozen family members gathered at the scene and watched. They told 5 On Your Side the victims were "their adult male relative and a child."
Anyone with information on this incident should call St. Louis police's homicide division at 314-444-5371 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
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.