HAZELWOOD, Mo. — In the past two months, several shootings have popped off in Hazelwood in north St. Louis County.
In a single day, on Oct. 2, police said 70 gunshots were fired outside a QuikTrip gas station near Interstate 270 and North Lindbergh. Police said an 18-year-old was killed during a fight among teenagers.
Last weekend, a man was shot after an argument at a Phillips 66 across the street from that business.
And Saturday night, investigators said manager Victor Fooks asked two men to leave the "In-Town Suites Extended Stay Hotel" off Dunn Road when someone shot him in the leg.
Fooks died at a hospital.
"I heard rapid fire like from a large rifle. Shots, shots, shots and shots," said Amanda Wilder.
Wilder lives behind the hotel where the latest shooting happened.
"It's frustrating because it's very quiet here. I've lived here for the past year," said Wilder.
"My heart goes out to the family of the gentleman who was killed and it's senseless, " said St. Louis County Council Chair Rita Days.
Days is concerned about the gun violence happening in her District One area.
She was stunned to hear that one of the suspects in the hotel homicide is once again a juvenile.
"I'm understanding that some older people are using these young people to commit some of these crimes, which is unacceptable," Days said.
Police said on any given night, six to eight officers patrol the streets of Hazelwood.
About 25,000 people live in the community.
"I would like to see more police presence, less guns on the street and less shootings, " said Hazelwood neighbor Karen Condon.
Meantime, Days said she would like to see community leaders in Hazelwood meet and address the gun violence.
"In terms of a meeting of the minds, if you will, and I think that clearly is going to be in order because this is going to get out of control," Days said.
"I think a town hall meeting would be great," said Amanda Wilder.
Prosecutors charged 20-year-old Jaylin McElroy and 18-year-old Marshaun Brinkley with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action.
The minor remains in a juvenile detention facility.
McElroy's bond is set at $750,000. Brinkley's bond is set at $100,000.