ST. LOUIS — Homicide investigators with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are looking into a Thursday evening shooting that killed a 17-year-old and injured two men.
According to the department, officers responded at 7:16 p.m. to a shooting at Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Burd Avenue at a Crown Mart Mobil gas station, near the border of the Hamilton Heights and Wells-Goodfellow neighborhoods.
Note: The video above is from June 16.
They found a 17-year-old who was not conscious or breathing. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. On Saturday, police identified him as Keyon Taylor of St. Louis.
A second victim, a 36-year-old man, was shot in the leg and drove to the 2600 block of Burd Avenue. He was conscious and breathing when taken to a hospital for treatment. On Friday, he was listed in critical condition with stable vital signs.
A third person, a 30-year-old man, later showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. He had stable vital signs while being treated at the hospital.
Police said they received information at the scene that two groups of people started shooting at each other at the gas station.
The 30-year-old man and another 19-year-old were arrested, and police seized their firearms.
Police told 5 On Your Side this Crown Mart is listed as a Nuisance/Problem Property with 92 calls for service this year.
This gas station is near multiple churches nearby.
Just down the street from this triple shooting is Williams Temple Church of God in Christ.
Lady Shirley Wooten and her husband, Bishop Lawrence Wooten, have been guiding children through their programs for 29 years.
"We believe faith-based organizations have an obligation to help children in the community and neighborhood," Wooten said. "We have adults here, principals, teachers, law enforcement officers and they help mentor the children. We have a full gymnasium, and they have basketball, food, and fun. Our goal is to get the kids off the streets and change their mindsight."
Wooten said their church's mentoring programs are essential to connect with children and the community. They've personally seen lives change.
"We need to be active and resolve some of these social issues in the community," she said.
They'll continue their efforts next weekend with a basketball tournament.
"Just call us, we’re here, we’re available. You will be a success in life, you can be a doctor, a lawyer. There is no telling what the future holds for you. We can help you," Wooten said.
Bishop Michael Robinson with Hope Nation is also motivated to continue the work in the Greater Ville neighborhood.
"There is a level of frustration that comes along with hearing news like this [the shooting] because we know there is so much work that we need to do in the city. Our efforts are newer but we expect them to be long-lasting," Robinson said.
Recently, he created Urban Hope, a youth empowerment program involving an 8-week curriculum.
"When a situation like this arises, we want to provide a solution for it," Robinson said.
Now, he's calling on other faith leaders to step up too.
"Let's open these spaces up and keep our children safe," he said.
Robinson is asking for volunteers to expand their program and encourages anyone to reach out to enroll.
Anyone with information on this triple shooting is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371, or anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
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.