ST. LOUIS — A man and woman were killed and two other men were injured in a shooting Wednesday afternoon in north St. Louis.
The shooting happened at about 4:50 p.m. in a vacant lot on the 5000 block of Kensington Avenue in the city's Academy neighborhood. Including Wednesday's deaths, the neighborhood has seen six homicides in 2024.
St. Louis police spokesperson Mitch McCoy said officers arrived at the scene within two minutes of a 911 call and found an off-duty firefighter giving first aid to two victims. They soon learned two other victims had been taken by car to an area hospital.
A 21-year-old woman and a man, whose age wasn't known, were pronounced dead at a hospital. A 31-year-old man was in critical condition and a 21-year-old man was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm.
McCoy said it appeared at least two people had exchanged gunfire. What led to the shooting was not immediately clear, but McCoy said the lot where the shooting happened is known for criminal activity.
"This has been an area of concern. I know the city has taken many efforts to organize people in the neighborhood to try to get this area cleaned up," said St. Louis Police Capt. Christi Marks.
Rosie Jamerson was enjoying a peaceful day inside her home when the shots sounded.
"I heard some shots, 'Pow, pow, pow,' and it sounded like they were close," she said.
It was close in more ways than one, as the worried grandmother soon learned her grandson was one of the injured victims.
"I'm gonna be alright ... Oh, lord," an emotional Jamerson said.
Police asked anyone with information on the shooting to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). All tips to the hotline are anonymous.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.