EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Metro East police are investigating a shooting on Illinois Route 3 that left one person injured.
According to Illinois State Police, the shooting happened at about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday on northbound Illinois Route 3, just south of Interstate 55/64 in East St. Louis. After being struck by gunfire, the victim drove to the East St. Louis Police Department to get help.
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment, according to ISP.
East St. Louis City Councilman Ryan Cason told 5 On Your Side he received multiple calls from city staff who were shaken up after the incident.
“They were unsure as to what was going on," Cason said. "They saw the shots in the car. They saw the man and he looked hurt. They were devastated, but we let them know it didn’t happen in East St. Louis.”
Route 3 was shut down as of 11:20 a.m. as police investigated.
Cason said the shooting hit too close to home in the wake of 16-year-old Colin Brown's shooting death on I-55 in November.
“It’s very concerning," Cason said. "I know that the highway department has cameras in certain areas. We need to start looking at them more and possibly placing more cameras on some of the places on the highway to try to stop some of these things from happening.”
Illinois State Police have yet to release the identity of the shooting victim or his condition.
“I just want to send my prayers and everything out to his family," Cason said. "I hope that everyone involved has a speedy recovery. I know this is a bad time for this to happen right around the holidays. I just want to wish him and his family the best. I’m going to keep them in my prayers.”
At this time Illinois State Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or may have information to call Special Agent Miller at 618-402-5979 or email at ISP.CrimeTips@Illinois.gov.
Tips can be left anonymously.
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.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.