ST. LOUIS — A 16-year-old boy became the latest teenage victim of a shooting in St. Louis Monday afternoon after police said he accidentally shot and injured himself while mishandling a gun.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to a call for a shooting at a home at about 5:30 p.m. Monday in the 200 block of East Marceau Street located in the Patch neighborhood.
Police said he accidentally shot himself in the leg while mishandling a gun inside the home.
St. Louis paramedics immediately responded and transported the victim to the hospital where he was listed in stable condition as of late Monday afternoon, police said. He was reportedly expected to survive his injury.
The investigation is ongoing.
According to 5 On Your Side data, he is the ninth child to be shot in St. Louis this year. Of those nine, one died of their injuries.
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.
