ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office refused charges applied to a woman arrested in connection with a shooting on Cherokee Street during a Cinco de Mayo celebration that left a man and a woman injured Saturday.
Wednesday morning, St. Louis police said the woman was taken into custody after the department released security images Monday of her and a man they believe were responsible for the shooting.
The department filed charges with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office, but charges were later refused, citing 'lack of evidence' and the 'victim refuses to assist'.
She is no longer in custody as of Wednesday afternoon. 5 On Your Side is not identifying the woman because she has not been charged as of this writing.
Police said they have identified the other person seen in the security images, but he has not been taken into custody.
Police said the shooting happened at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Cherokee Street and Ohio Avenue. A woman told police she saw a fight between a large group when a person started waving a gun around.
Police said that person fired a shot.
The woman and a 25-year-old man were injured in the shooting. She was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the man refused medical treatment for a graze wound.
The Luminary, a non-profit art gallery that has been in the area for 15 years, became the backdrop for the violent incident.
"It's been really tough because we try to cultivate a space that's actually about transformative justice and community building so to see it on the background of the news this week has been really hard," Kalaija Mallery, artistic director at the gallery, said.
Those who frequent the area told 5 On Your Side they want better for the city's future and that it would take accountability, rehabilitation, and the community working to address root causes in homes.
"I don't think the current punitive measures ever rehabilitate anybody and we have to expand our thoughts about what rehabilitation means because why would we want to continue to the cycle and spend money to continue the cycle as opposed to breaking it," Titzy Simon, a neighbor, said.
"Awareness is really the key and the community needs to communicate," Mallery said.
The Saturday shooting was the second shooting in as many days at the festival, which takes place on Cherokee Street between Nebraska and Jefferson Streets.
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.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.