ST. LOUIS — One person died and three people were injured in a shooting outside the Sweet Timez nightclub at 5166 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive Friday morning.
According to St. Louis police, the shooting happened shortly before 3 a.m., and one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
The St. Louis Police Department has identified the victim as David Leroy Smith Jr. The 40-year-old lived in the 7500 block of Balfour.
The other three people who were injured were all conscious and breathing and were transported to a local hospital, police said.
Police said of the other three shooting victims, a 50-year-old man and a 47-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds to the lower extremities. The fourth person, a 45-year-old man, was shot and suffered a gunshot wound to the right leg. He was taken to a hospital by a third party.
According to police, an officer was driving east on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive when they saw a "large commotion" with cars speeding away from the club in several directions. The officer then heard gunfire from the crowd in multiple directions. An "officer in need of aid" call went out to the department to help manage the scene, and additional officers responded.
A St. Louis police spokesperson said at the scene the motive for the shooting is still being investigated. He also said there may be additional victims who fled the scene before police arrived.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Louis police Homicide Division at 314-444-5371 or call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
This is a developing story. Information will be updated as it is confirmed by 5 On Your Side.
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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.
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 an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
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.