JENNINGS, Mo. — A 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed Tuesday afternoon in Jennings.
The stabbing happened just after 3 p.m. on the 2400 block of Hord Avenue, St. Louis County Police Department spokesperson Vera Clay said.
Jennings School District Superintendent Paula Knight confirmed in a statement that the boy was a student at the nearby Jennings Junior High School. The incident did not happen on the school's campus.
School resource officers were at the scene immediately after the stabbing.
"They immediately began life-saving measures in attempts to stabilize him until EMS arrived," Jennings Police Cpt. Aaron Roediger said.
The boy was rushed to an area hospital, where he later died of his injuries. He was identified Wednesday as Justin Brooks.
"My grandson knew the young man and as I was questioning him he got so teary-eyed so I had to stop questioning him about the situation," said Angernette Thomas Fox, who lives on the street where it happened.
The police department said the incident did not appear to be random. No suspects were in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
5 On Your Side noticed a crying teenager being taken into questioning, yelling out "I didn't do anything."
Neighbors said they believed there was a group of people of different ages on the scene when there was some type of confrontation.
One adult told police she tried to stop it before the situation escalated.
Investigators said they realize the impact a crime like this can have on those who knew the teen.
"We'll be working with the school district to ensure the student body has the resources they need in terms of counseling and things like that in regards to this tragic event," Roediger said.
Further details on what led to the stabbing were not immediately available.
The St. Louis County Police Department's Bureau of Crimes Against Persons was investigating.
"It just hurt my heart to know that a young man has lost his life," Thomas Fox said.
"Even though our school hours had ended at 3:00 p.m. and the incident had occurred off campus, we will be on-site tomorrow at the junior high with members of the crisis team to support those students, staff and families," Knight said.
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.
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