ST. LOUIS — A group of teenage boys were shot at and one was critically injured early Saturday morning while trespassing at the vacant Cleveland High School in south St. Louis.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to the shooting at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the vacant school, located at 4352 Louisiana Ave. When they arrived, they saw a 19-year-old boy who had been shot in back but was still conscious and breathing.
EMS took him to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
Two other teens, both 18, were also at the scene when police arrived.
The teens told police they were exploring inside the former high school when they ran into the two male suspects wearing camo clothing. The teens told the suspects they were looking for the swimming pool, and the men offered to show them.
The teens said they later became uncomfortable and left the building. While leaving the building, they told police they heard gunshots before realizing the 19-year-old had been shot.
No other injuries were reported.
The suspects remained at large as of Saturday 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.
