ST. LOUIS — A man was shot after he and a group of people mistakenly tried to enter the wrong car early Sunday in the Grove.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said officers responded to a call about a shooting at about 3 a.m. at the intersection of Manchester Road and South Taylor Avenue in St. Louis.
Police said when officers arrived they saw a 22-year-old woman lying in the street injured. Once EMS transported her to the hospital, they discovered that she was dragged by a car fleeing the scene.
A 25-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds was also at the scene but was taken to the hospital in a private car, police said.
According to the preliminary investigation, a 35-year-old man was sitting in his car in the 4500 block of Swan Avenue when a group of people mistakenly tried to enter his car believing it was their car. Police said the 35-year-old man fired shots out of his car and fled from the scene.
As of Monday morning, the shooting suspect remained at large.
Both of the victims critically injured and taken to an area hospital.
Further investigation revealed the woman was struck by a separate vehicle at the time of the incident, not the suspect's vehicle, police said. The driver of that vehicle was a 25-year-old man who fled and was later taken into police custody.
St. Louis 9th Ward Alderman Michael Browning said it's upsetting to see a tragedy like this happen in his ward.
"It's obviously a very sad thing that happened, and I'm wishing full recovery to all involved," Browning said.
Browning said police and paramedics responded quickly, but even before they got there, the staff at Platypus bar ran out to help.
"I have this as second-hand information, but, my understanding is, that employees of Platypus, which is right around the corner there at Taylor and Manchester, heard what happened and rushed to the aid of the woman who was dragged, with, towels and were able to be there with her until paramedics were able to arrive," Browning said.
Alyssa Uetrecht works in the area.
"I've never really felt unsafe leaving my car here. I kind of leave it on the strip here. But after knowing what happened, I would be a little bit more cautious leaving my car here in the future, for sure," Uetrecht said.
Browning said he continues to work with police and the community improvement district to improve lighting and have secondary patrols.
"We have an extensive camera network. There are a number of safety measures in place, but I want to be clear. None of those safety measures would have prevented what happened last night. Unfortunately, this is the result of what happens when we have a state where everybody is armed and there is very little regulation," Browning said.
Investigation was ongoing as of Monday morning.
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.
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