ST. LOUIS — "The first guy walked in with a really big gun," a manager at a St. Louis gas station said.
He's still in awe when he looks at the chilling and clear video the owner shared with police.
"We got to the point really it's like we just got to deal with it. It seems like it's kind of normal now," said the manager who didn't want to disclose his name.
He said shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, two young men pulled up in a red car to the BP gas station near South Grand Boulevard and Park Avenue in south St. Louis. The business is across the street from SSM Health Children's Hospital.
A man, wearing a green and white hooded sweatshirt, first walked inside. The driver, who wore a red sweatshirt and a black cap, then went inside the business. Both had guns, partially tucked in their waistbands.
This afternoon, the manager showed 5 On Your Side surveillance video of "the wild shooting."
"Yes, several adults and children were in the business at the time. One mom got really terrified when one of the guys walked passed her. She could easily see that gun," the manager said.
"i wasn't here at the time, but my two employees were. One of them called 911, " he said.
The young guy in the green then walked outside and repeatedly fired at four other young men, who pulled up to a pump on the opposite side in a silver four-door Mercedes.
"The driver who was with the guy in the green hooded sweatshirt also had a really big gun," the stunned manager said.
Witnesses said at least three of the four men in the Mercedes were also armed with guns.
"Yeah, they also hopped out of that car with black guns, but they never fired," he said.
While police say the men "shot at each other," the manager insists that wasn't the case. When the rapid gunfire rang out, one customer dove to the floor. Scared employees quickly got down and hid behind a counter.
"In our surveillance video, you can see a woman with a small child walked outside, as all the bullets rang out and that's when she and her son hid behind the front of their car until it was all over," the manager said.
More than a dozen bullets battered the business.
"The window got hit, the front glass door was shot and bullets hit our shelves and products inside. The guy just kept shooting outside our store and tried to hit the guy on the other side. I just don't understand it. This violence is out of control," the manager said.
Now, customers and workers hope the surveillance video and photos lead police to the wanted suspects.
"Yes, I just thank God that our employees and customers weren't hurt," said the gas station manager.
"I live in this area," a long-time customer said. "Man, that's just ridiculous and horrifying. There's no way they should be carrying that kind of weaponry on the streets. We've got to do better than this as a community."
Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). Remember, you can remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward.
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.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.