ST. LOUIS — A toddler and two adults were injured during a shooting in a south St. Louis neighborhood Saturday evening. Neighbors said people had gathered outside to celebrate a child's birthday.
The toddler, a man and a woman, both 23, were inside a bounce house when the incident occurred, police reported Sunday.
Around 5:50 p.m., police received reports of shots fired in the 3900 block of Virginia near the intersection of Grand and Chippewa.
Shortly after, three people showed up at the hospital with gunshot wounds, police said. A 2-year-old suffered a graze wound, and the woman had a graze wound to her arm/wrist area. Their injuries are not life-threatening and were listed in stable condition Sunday. The man in the bounce house was not injured.
The third man, 17, was listed Sunday as critical/stable with gunshot wounds to his legs, arms and abdomen. He told police he was walking on Virginia when he heard shooting. Police said he was conscious and breathing.
Neighbors told 5 On Your Side's Robert Townsend that the shooting happened during a child's birthday party. It's not clear what the relationship was between the toddler and adults who were injured.
Photos and video from the scene show colorful balloons, tables and chairs set up under a tent on a residential street. Police taped off the area around the gathering.
Children's games and other play equipment were damaged on the street. A bullet hole could also be seen in a snow cone maker machine.
This is a developing story and will be updated as 5 On Your Side confirms more information.
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/