UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — A teen was shot early Tuesday morning in University City.
The shooting happened at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday just steps away from Heman Park Community Center, at the intersection of Vernon and Pennsylvania avenues.
The 17-year-old victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Officers also located damaged property.
At the scene, a 5 On Your Side photographer saw nearly a dozen police cars and over 40 evidence markers. Most of the markers were covering a bridge over a nearby creek. A canine unit was investigating the surrounding area, and police were also investigating the nearby Huntley Ridge Apartments, where there were about 10 more evidence markers on the ground.
The intersection near the community center was completely closed for about two hours, and University City police cleared the scene just before 4 a.m.
Longtime University City resident Christopher Davis said he is fed up with the violence.
"U City wasn't like this. It really wasn't like this. I've been living here for 31 years, never like this before. This breaks my heart, it's very sad," he said.
Davis said over the past few years, he's watched his chaos take over his beloved city, and he believes it's trickling in from St. Louis.
"People's lives are in danger out here. It's very sad, and then they start bringing that mess out here. Like what's going on?" he said.
While there are still many unanswered questions about what happened Tuesday morning, Davis is just pleading for one thing.
"I need change, there's change that needs to happen around here. Especially in an area that's very, very peaceful and quiet. We never see this much chaos going on," he said.
As of Tuesday morning, police had not shared what led up to the shooting. They said no suspects were in custody.
Anyone with information is asked to call the University City Police Department at 314-725-2211, Ext. 8010 or Crime Stoppers at 866-371-TIPS.
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.
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