ST. LOUIS — Charges have been filed against a man who was shot by police Wednesday afternoon in north St. Louis.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department announced Thursday that Stephon Gilkey, 21, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Gilkey remained hospitalized as of Thursday afternoon.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. in the 4200 block of Linton in St. Louis' Fairgrounds neighborhood.
According to Lt. Col. Michael Sack in an afternoon update, detectives with the Drug Enforcement and Intervention Unit were working with officers from the SWAT Unit on tracking an individual as part of a larger drug investigation. They observed a transaction and followed the suspect.
Detectives attempted to stop the vehicle and conduct a traffic stop and were led on a brief pursuit. The man abandoned the vehicle in an alley and ran through a grassy area toward Linton where several officers followed.
The man left two children in the back seat of the vehicle, between the ages of one and two years old, Sack said.
Sack said one of the SWAT officers observed the man was armed with a handgun with an extended magazine.
The detective observed the man turn once behind him and pointed the handgun in his direction. The detective did not discharge his weapon at that time, Sack said.
The suspect continued to run towards Linton at which point he turned again, further towards the officer and flourished the weapon, Sack said.
Sack said the officer then discharged his weapon several times, striking the man once or twice. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Police described his condition as "stable."
In an afternoon update, police confirmed the suspect's gun was recovered on the scene.
No officers were injured in the shooting.
The Force Investigation Unit responded to the scene and the investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update as information becomes available.