ST. LOUIS — A 15-year-old boy is facing charges after a teenage girl was shot and killed Tuesday night in St. Louis' Gravois Park neighborhood.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said second-degree murder charges were filed against the 15-year-old boy, who was already in custody in St. Louis County on separate charges.
Shortly after 7:30 p.m., police arrived to the 3700 block of Minnesota where they found 15-year-old Emily Valentine, of St. Louis, with a gunshot wound to her face.
She was not conscious and barely breathing at the scene. She was transported to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
After a string of youth violence over the last few weeks, some community members feel it's time to change the narrative.
“It is just bewildering and sad," Dr. LJ Punch said.
Dr. LJ Punch has spent the last two decades supporting people through their worst moments.
“Parents are not supposed to bury their children," he said.
He treats gunshot wounds, and heals those who lose loved ones to it, at the Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) in the Delmar Divine.
“St. Louis is reflecting the national reality that bullets have now become the leading cause of death in children," he said.
Valentine is now a victim of this statistic.
“We have definitely seen that trend but there are a lot of motions going on right now behind the scenes that we are really taking it very seriously and being very active about it," Captain Christi Marks said.
In the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's weekly crime update, they said work is being done.
“I think hope begins with meeting the City and the community right where it is right now and being honest. We have a bullet problem. Bullet injuries are endemic, they happen every day," Punch said.
Dr. Punch said a bigger conversation is on the table.
“We don’t necessarily want to talk about it because there is so much stigma. We either want to criminalize it or say it’s a political issue, no. It’s a public health crisis," he said.
He said it’s a story in St. Louis, where we can rewrite the ending.
“You hope that maybe the young ones will be protected but they are just as vulnerable if not more vulnerable to what bullets can do to people’s lives and bodies," he said.
Police do have a person of interest they’re working to bring into custody.
If you or someone you know suffer from gun violence, Dr. Punch said the BRIC has several physical and mental resources to support you, including an upcoming support group event for coping with trauma and grief.
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update information as it is confirmed.
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.