ST CHARLES, Mo. — A driver says he’s lucky to be alive after a shooting on Interstate 70 early Thursday morning. It’s the latest instance of gunfire on a St. Louis area interstate; this time, the investigation is in St. Charles.
It all started at about midnight at the St. Charles Lanes bowling alley on First Capitol Drive. A St. Charles police spokesperson said one group complained to bowling alley employees about the other group being loud. They said that turned into an argument inside and then continued outside the business.
Someone at the bowling alley told police they heard one of the groups talking about shooting the other group. That's when they called police.
A short time later, there was a shooting reported at I-70 and Fifth Street.
5 On Your Side spoke with the driver who said his car was shot at. He explained what happened between the argument at the bowling alley and the shooting on the interstate.
The man, who did not want to be identified, said he left the bowling alley after the altercation and was heading eastbound on I-70 to the nearby casino. He was getting off at the Fifth Street exit when he suddenly heard gunshots.
“Next thing I know, ‘pop pop pop pop pop pop pop,’” he told a 5 On Your Side photojournalist early Thursday.
The man said his car was hit by bullets at least eight times. He was not injured.
“I got lucky,” he said.
The St. Charles police spokesperson said the man pulled into a gas station parking lot off of Fifth Street and that someone inside his car was treated at the scene. Police originally said he suffered a graze wound from a bullet but later clarified that his injury was caused by shattered glass.
It’s unclear if shots were fired from both vehicles or just from one car, police said. The investigation is ongoing.
This is the latest shooting on I-70 in the St. Louis area recently.
To curb violence on the interstate, St. Louis city police recently asked Missouri State Highway Patrol to help patrol the highway. According to St. Louis police, troopers are helping with enforcement on I-70 Friday through Sunday.
Related coverage:
- State troopers team up with St. Louis police to curb violence on I-70
- Police: Rolling gun battle on I-70 ends in crash
- 17-year-old shot while driving on I-70 in north St. Louis
- Woman shot on I-70 in St. Louis says her driving may have angered suspects
- Police investigating if victim of rollover crash onto I-70 is tied to nearby shooting