ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A 57-year-old newspaper delivery driver was grazed by a bullet while escaping would-be carjackers overnight.
The incident happened at around 2:20 a.m. on Ladue Road near Maryhill Lane in Ladue. The Ladue Police Department said the driver was heading eastbound when the car in front of him stopped and blocked the lane.
Two men with guns got out and ordered him out of his car. He drove around them and continued eastbound, and they shot at him as he drove away, grazing him in the back.
The victim then drove to University City and flagged down police. He was treated for minor injuries at the scene but didn't need to go to the hospital.
“In this situation, fortunately for this driver it worked out in his favor,” Ladue Police Chief Ken Andreski Jr. said. “He did suffer an injury, but it’s a non-life-threatening wound, and he made a decision and acted on it as quick as he could.”
Police were still searching for the suspects as of Tuesday morning. The suspect vehicle is possibly a red model Pontiac Grand Prix.
“Ring doorbell cameras, surveillance cameras on property – all this is becoming increasingly popular,” said Andreski. “Maybe somebody captured an image related to this. Of course, our officers and detectives are out there looking for that type of thing. But if anybody captured something, a dashcam, anything, we’re looking anything that could help us with this case.”
The driver works for St. Louis News Distribution Services, which distributes several newspapers in the St. Louis area, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Post-Dispatch provided a statement from the distributor to 5 On Your Side.
“We are thankful that our contractor appears to have suffered only minor injuries. We are hopeful the police will find those involved and we are grateful for their efforts,” said Adam Cross, general manager of St. Louis News Distribution Services.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ladue Police Department at 314-737-4600.
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.
To learn more, call 314-381-8200 or visit https://www.betterfamilylife.org/
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.”
To learn more, call 314-327-6697 or email: ProjectLOV@WUSTL.edu
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership between and Saint Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
To learn more, visit https://www.ulstl.com/anti-crime-initiative.html
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. To learn more, visit https://cvg.org/