ST. LOUIS — A woman was shot and killed Saturday afternoon at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station, police said.
St. Louis police officers responded to the scene in the 200 block of DeBaliviere Avenue shortly after 3:30 p.m. The woman was not conscious or breathing when they arrived. She was taken by ambulance to Barnes-Jewish Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Police said Sunday evening that a 17-year-old girl was arrested in connection with the killing. She was being held at the Juvenile Detention Center in St. Louis County on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
"Investigators were able to quickly identify a suspect in this case, aided by the robust surveillance system of Metro and the quick assistance provided by Metro public safety," St. Louis police spokesperson Sgt. Charles Wall said.
Police said the victim was shot in the chest. It was unclear what led up to the shooting, which happened steps away from the Missouri History Museum and Forest Park.
“We are saddened at the events which transpired this afternoon. We are not immune to the plague of violent crimes which affect our region," said Kevin Scott, general manager of security for Bi-State Development, the parent organization of Metro Transit.
An employee of a nearby business said the victim was a regular who seemed agitated less than a half-hour before she was shot.
Jay Mancera, who was walking in the area shortly after the shooting happened, said "it's a little intimidating."
"It’s a casual kind of day and this kind of thing happened. It’s weird we’re so desensitized to it at this point because we’re like walking down the street and see the lights, and we’re like, ‘Oh just another day in St. Louis,'" Mancera said.
Mancera moved to St. Louis from Texas about a year ago.
"I saw article after article about how St. Louis is 'crime central,' and since I've moved here, it’s been generally true," Mancera said.
MetroLink train service at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere, Central West End, Delmar Loop and Skinker stations was suspended for about two hours as police investigated the shooting, a spokesperson for Bi-State Development said.
The woman's death is the 62nd homicide in St. Louis in 2024, according to 5 On Your Side data.
"Metro Transit public safety stands steadfast in its commitment to our community’s safety and to our commitment of collaboration with all local police authorities," Scott said. "Metro security assets at the station area and the Metro security team are coordinating video assets with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, who is leading the investigation."
Scott said that Bi-State Development would not release any additional statements on the incident.