ST. LOUIS — Three children were taken to the hospital following a crash between a car and a FedEx van Friday afternoon.
A burgundy-colored car and a Fed Ex van collided at Adelaide Avenue and Hall Street in north St. Louis.
The extent of injuries to the children and the drivers involved was not immediately known.
The car may have been involved in a shooting incident reported nearby because the car "possibly contains ballistic evidence," a spokesperson with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department told 5 On Your Side. Police said they found shell casings at the scene of the crash.
The shooting happened two miles away on the 400 block of Blase Avenue. A man says his family was in their home when a car drove by and fired shots.
“Everybody had ran for their lives. I ran upstairs when we heard all the gunshots,” said the 23-year-old man, who did not want to be named.
He said his 2-year-old son’s grandparents live at the home that was shot up near Blase Avenue and Hall Street.
Bullets hit the family’s brick house and shattered their living room window.
A woman was grazed in the stomach. St. Louis police listed her as 29 years old, but family told 5 On Your Side she is 18.
She was treated at the scene.
“I didn’t even know she had been grazed. She was hit just as she was about to start cooking. She ran upstairs after the bullet grazed her. We don’t know why anyone would shoot up the house. The family’s lived here for four years without any problems,” said the man.
“It’s just tragic. The person who shot up that family’s home with them inside just didn’t care. You got residents who stay in this community and you have homeowners here who care about the things they have and it clearly shows a lack of compassion” said one concerned neighbor.
This is a developing story and will be updated as 5 On Your Side learns more information.
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.
Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to "stabilize inner-city neighborhoods." One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
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 an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
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