ST CHARLES, Mo. — The surviving victim in a St. Charles double shooting told police her brother was fatally wounded while holding her apartment door closed against the shooter.
Police on Wednesday identified the man who was killed as 20-year-old Fithawi Gebremedhin.
According to the St. Charles Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call just before 11 p.m. Monday at the Clock Tower Square apartment complex, near Interstate 70 in St. Charles.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found Gebremedhin with multiple gunshot wounds and his 22-year-old sister shot in the right leg. Both victims were taken to local hospitals by EMS.
Gebremedhin was pronounced dead at the hospital. The woman's injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
She told police that she was arriving at her apartment when she saw a man with a gun. She ran to her apartment and was shot. Her brother held the door closed while the suspect fired several shots through the door and ran away.
An investigation led police to a 21-year-old man as a possible suspect. He was identified and taken into custody at a home in University City by the St. Charles and University City police departments.
St. Charles police said the suspect is being held in St. Charles, and criminal charges will be sought. Police have not yet established a clear motive for the shooting, St. Charles Lt. Tom Wilkison said.
Anyone with information on the fatal shooting is asked to contact the St. Charles Police Department at 636-949-3300.
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update information as it is confirmed.
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 deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
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