ST. LOUIS — A Sunday afternoon shooting in St. Louis has left a teenage boy dead.
He has been identified as 15-year-old Kyle Falker.
Police responded at 1:09 p.m. to the 1400 block of O’Fallon Street, which is in the north city neighborhood of Carr Square. Officers arrived to find Falker not conscious or breathing. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s homicide unit responded to the scene.
Officers at the scene had sections of a parking lot in a residential area blocked off with crime scene tape, and several investigators were seen gathered near a building.
A mother who talked to 5 On Your Side wished to remain anonymous, but said Falker was best friends with her son. She said that a car pulled up and started shooting at the teen under a tree inside the Preservation Square housing development.
"A car pulled up and started shooting," she said. "Everybody came outside, and he was laying outside." She went on to say the boy was shot several times and witnesses tried to stop the bleeding and bring him back to life.
When paramedics arrived, she said they put at least five sticky bandages on wounds, but it was clear the boy had died.
"He didn't do nothing that cost him his life or nothing like that," the mom said. "He ain't even lived his life. Just an average little boy."
The woman said she will now send her son away because it's not safe to live there. She said the way Preservation Square is set up, there's only one way in and one way out of the housing development — a fishbowl making people easy targets for a shooter.
"Communities ain't even communities no more," she said. "I hate to say it but now I feel like every man for themselves out here. When you try to come together it's more of a loss. It's too much."
St. Louis police have not released any further details at this time.
So far in 2021, 58 children have been shot in the city, according to 5 On Your Side’s data. Sunday’s fatal shooting marks the 11th child age 17 and younger to die from gun violence.
Police currently have no suspects. Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371 or 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.
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/