ST. LOUIS — Advocates for the homeless community are demanding support for a growing mental health crisis.
This is after two men were shot and killed near a homeless camp in downtown St. Louis last week. It happened across from Memorial Park.
On Wednesday afternoon, police identified the victim as 29-year-old Sharone Spates. The suspect was still unnamed.
Reverend Larry Rice, director of New Life Evangelistic Center, and his outreach team held a news conference Wednesday morning to raise awareness.
They placed a cross at the very spot Spates was gunned down. Together, the group prayed.
"These are human beings that were shot down," Rice said.
Rice explained his outreach team knew the two men who died. Rice said both had serious mental health issues.
"The one who was chased who was known as Rabbit on the street, or Sharone as his real name. The other one who did the shooting is named Cowboy," Rice added.
Rice said Cowboy recently expressed suicidal thoughts.
"That Friday morning he woke up, found something missing and accused Rabbit of taking it. Rabbit is a jovial guy, easy to get along with and he was teasing along and said 'I took it, what are you going to do?' He pulled out the gun and started chasing Rabbit," Rice explained.
Cowboy is accused of shooting Rabbit and then refused to put his gun down, firing a warning shot in the air as he ran toward a police officer.
On Friday, Major Janice Bockstruck said a city officer was working on a mobile surveillance unit when he heard gunfire nearby. Bockstruck said the suspect and victim started running toward the officer.
Rice believes Cowboy wanted to die at the hands of police.
Both men died.
The 42-year-old officer was not injured. He has served with the department for 18 years, police said.
Rice also worries more people could've been hurt.
"The danger this puts the general public in all of this. Our guys doing outreach (saw) Cowboy pointing his gun all over the place days prior. Average people on the street, this concerns them... not just the homeless!" Rice added.
Following the shooting on Friday, 5 On Your Side captured video of fences going up near 14th and Market as the city shut down the encampment.
"All it does it pushes the problem further away. I would like to see the city of St. Louis actively lobbying for mental health services and services for homeless in this community," Rice shared.
Pastor Chris Aaron Rice also spoke Wednesday.
He said, "This Friday, we witnessed the failure, the breakdown of comprehensive services. St. Louis does not assist some of the most severe cases of mental health issues. Instead, they push them down the block, down the block, until there are no blocks to rest their head."
Rice noted this happened during Mental Health Awareness Month and this should highlight the growing mental health crisis.
Rice suggested a cabinet position within local government to address the homeless problem. Rice also pointed a finger at the state of Missouri for cuts in mental health resources over the years.
Outreach coordinator Ray Redlich goes out daily to help the homeless.
He said days before the shooting, they reached out to Rabbit for support.
"After so many years, someone is not going to survive. Reverend Rice gave him a pair of shoes a week prior to the shooting. We try to build their friendship and try to help them in the long run to get off the streets," Redlich added.
A spokesperson for the city of St. Louis shared this statement:
"There is no question that our region needs to be doing more to support the unhoused. In 2024, the Affordable Housing Commission tripled its annual awards, supporting 2,030 affordable housing units, including 345 new homes for low and moderate-income families.
"The City under Mayor Jones’ leadership has expanded shelter capacity and available wraparound services, and worked with local providers to stand up St. Louis’ first low-barrier Safe Haven, and expanded the Jefferson Spaces tiny home transitional housing project from 50 to 100.
"But we know more needs to be done. Fencing is an essential public safety measure, but not a long term solution.
"After successfully getting the Green Line Metrolink expansion and Save Lives Now! initiative approved as chair of the East West Gateway Council of Governments, the Mayor is turning her attention to finding a regional approach to provide more support for our unhoused population.
"I should note here that many of the folks who would gather near the old municipal courts building were offered services from the City and often refused. However, the Behavioral Health Bureau continues to do effective outreach to the unhoused community in our city."