ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A day after 15-year-old Lawrence A. Clark was killed on Purdue Avenue The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis says there's 20 leads but no suspect in custody.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell arrived on the scene moments after the gun fire rang out. Bell met with the family on scene.
"A 15-year-old lost their life and we're seeing too much of it. No family should have to deal with that," Bell said.
Police said 19 investigators are working the investigation.
Lawrence was killed in Pagedale, less than 3 miles from where he was from in Vinita Park.
It comes on the heels of 16-year-old Kaylee Gain suffering a brain injury during a fight in Hazelwood, the stabbing death of 14-year-old Justin Brooks in Jennings, and a group of teens fighting that ended in gunfire in Glasgow Village, leaving one teen with a graze wound.
Bell's office provides support to police investigations on scene.
It's something he said has been a priority since he's been in office.
"I think that's it's important to show up. We have seen the victims and the assailants getting younger and younger and it's just tragic and it's something we need to address. I'm a big proponent of common-sense gun safety laws but also we have to look at those underlying root causes of why this is happening," Bell said.
Bell said St. Louis has a gun violence problem, and there's a black market for guns that teenagers are getting their hands on.
He wants local government to step in.
"There are a lot of guns coming into our communities and as a result they get stolen when we see car break ins. We always advise residents, do not leave handguns in your cars," Bell said.
The Major Case Squad declined 5 On Your Side's interview request. The investigation remains open and active.
Police urge anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.
