JENNINGS, Mo. — Jennings Police continue to figure out the motive and the person responsible for the stabbing death of 14-year-old Justin Brooks Tuesday afternoon.
Pine Lawn Mayor Terry Epps got the call that left him in shock.
"This is where he started at 6 years old," he said walking next to the football field at the Wohl Recreation Center in St. Louis.
This field is where he coached young boys for the City Rec Junior Rams football team. He remembers Justin Brooks.
"I remember the character of this kid... A quiet kid. A kid that was a 'yes sir', 'no sir'. You didn't have any problems with him. He always did what you asked him to do," Epps added.
A day after the crime, 5 On Your Side returned to the neighborhood where he was killed, on Hord Avenue, just outside of Jennings Junior High School.
Police stepped up patrols outside of the school and counselors were on hand to help students grieve.
Parents are grieving too.
"That's somebody life that just got snatched. They momma thought that they dropped their child off at school and they thought their child was going to come back home. And they child did not come back home. That could've been my child. And I just wish somebody would come forward and say what you did," said Patricia Hicks.
Neighbors say a fight happened the day before 14-year-old Justin Brooks was stabbed. They believe the stabbing Tuesday was in retaliation for the fight.
Those neighbors say the fight Tuesday afternoon was also on Hord Avenue.
That's where St. Louis County police found 14-year-old Brooks with a stab wound. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Those who knew Brooks say played on the basketball team.
Hicks, a parent of a Jennings Junior High School student, is calling for the school district to take more action.
She chose not to have her daughter go to school Wednesday because she didn't feel safe. Hicks says in the future she may consider enrolling her children in a virtual learning option.
Hicks says her daughter was friends with Brooks and his younger brother.
"She feels scared to even go back to school because we don't know who did it. So the person who did it could be in that school and you think I want to send my child to a school where a murderer is? she asked. "No."
Hicks says fights happen near the school often when classes are let out for the day.
Community leaders including a former Jennings council member, Aja Owens, also expressed sadness.
"It's very unfortunate that this happened, it's unfortunate if this happens anywhere but especially when it happens close to home," Owens said.
Owens said she's been in communication with the superintendent Dr. Paula Knight about resources she can provide to students with the help of other community members.
Owens said she's already called on an alumni network of Jennings Junior High School to come to talk to students who need an outlet to express themselves in difficult or traumatic situations.
"We want them to know as the people from Jennings, as the elders in the community, we're here to listen and support you. My message to them is to let them know they have a community that's a village," Owens said.
"Our Jennings Precinct officers have conducted extra patrols during dismissal since our service contract with the City of Jennings began in 2011," St. Louis County police said. "We adjust the number of officers to address issues as needed in the case of fights, disturbances or threats. Also, our school resource officers continually work closely with the school district to address any issues that arise."
School leaders released a statement this week, saying a crisis team and additional police patrols will be available in the coming days.
"I can't say (more) from my perspective of how great a kid he was because that's all I knew," Epps added.
St. Louis County police are still urging anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.