ST. LOUIS — Police responding to an overnight crash found a driver shot to death inside a truck in south city.
He has been identified as Samuel Valles-Rendon Jr., 29, of Berkeley.
The shooting happened just after midnight Friday on the 600 block of Robert Avenue in the Carondelet neighborhood. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of a car into a building.
When they arrived, they found a truck that had left the road, struck an electric pole and crashed through a garage. Valles-Rendon Jr. had been shot in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Neighbors told a 5 On Your Side photojournalist they heard several gunshots before the crash. Broken glass was visible along Alabama Avenue, near where it intersects with Robert Avenue.
Police investigation revealed he was shot on the 7100 block of Alabama Avenue and continued until he crashed on Robert Avenue.
A homicide investigation is underway. The suspect was unknown and no arrest had been made as of Friday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the department's Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
This marks the fourth homicide of 2021 in the Carondelet neighborhood, according to data from St. Louis police. The department is reporting 171 total homicides in the city this year.
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.
Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to “stabilize inner-city neighborhoods.” One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
To learn more, call 314-381-8200 or visit https://www.betterfamilylife.org/
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.”
To learn more, call 314-327-6697 or email: ProjectLOV@WUSTL.edu
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership between and Saint Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
To learn more, visit https://www.ulstl.com/anti-crime-initiative.html
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities. To learn more, visit https://cvg.org/