ST. LOUIS — The mother of one shooting victim would have been celebrating her birthday with her son on Monday, but instead, she is planning his funeral.
According to police, Tawan Ward, 25, was found early Sunday morning with multiple gunshot wounds near the intersection of 16th and Pine Streets in Downtown St. Louis. Police said he had two gunshot wounds to his chest and another in his back. Paramedics responded and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ward's mother, Tawanna Flemon, told 5 On Your Side she believed her son was "robbed and left for dead" at about 5:30 Sunday morning, which was his 25th birthday. He was in town to celebrate his birthday with his mother, whose birthday is Monday, and his girlfriend. When the incident happened, she said he was staying at his girlfriend's house and "went outside and never came back."
His mother said her son was robbed of his phone, cash, and gun he carried for protection.
She also told 5 On Your Side that she believed police were reviewing camera footage and interviewing at least one possible person who may have witnessed the incident. However, police have not released any information regarding a suspect or suspects.
On the family GoFundMe page, Taquilla Flemon-Price wrote, "In addition to being a cherished father, brother, son, and friend, he deeply touched numerous hearts. Any support or kind thoughts would be immensely valued by his family at this difficult time; please include us in your prayers."
The Homicide Division responded and is handling the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371, or anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
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.