LINCOLN COUNTY, Missouri — For the first time, we're hearing from family members of a teenager who was fatally shot on New Year's Eve in Lincoln County.
Older sister Jillian Stephens said 16-year-old Matthew Robinson was shot and killed Sunday morning at a home on Dodson Road.
On December 31 at about 10:30 a.m. the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office got a 911 call about a domestic disturbance announcing shortly after that a teen boy had been shot and killed as a result.
After 5 On Your Side's original reporting, Stephens posted on Facebook, saying, "I love you. I'm so sorry this happened to you."
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said that five people were inside the residence at the time of the incident and were all taken in for questioning.
Though they have still not said what his relationship was to them or where the gun came from, officers define a domestic disturbance as "anybody that may be in a relationship whether that be a family member, whether that be living within the same household, boyfriend, girlfriend, things of that nature" Det. Alyssa Erson with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said.
On Tuesday, there was a small memorial on a signpost for Dodson Road in Robinson's memory. Flowers, stuffed animals, and a cross with the name "Matthew" written on it were hanging as drivers passed by.
Stephens said her little brother's story needs to be heard.
After continued outreach from 5 On Your Side, police have not confirmed whether or not Robinson lived on the street where the shooting happened.
The Lincoln County School District announced Tuesday that the boy killed was a student at New Horizons High School in Troy.
"The Lincoln County R-III family was heartbroken to learn of the death of a New Horizons High School Student," the district said in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and all individuals impacted by this tragedy."
When it comes to counseling in the aftermath of the incident, Turning Point Advocacy Services offers support and shelters across seven counties including Lincoln County for victims of physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse.
"If you look at the domino effect, how can you possibly work, play, and live in your community if your basic needs, feeling that you have physical safety if all of those things aren't met," Lauren Frosch, executive director of Turning Point, said. "It impacts everything in your life. I would also say it impacts the trajectory. So whether it's a child or it's a woman in her 30s, it impacts their lives for years."
Turning Point offers support to victims of domestic violence, especially when a minor is involved.
"Within the past two years, it used to be that our emergency shelter was mainly adults," Frosch said. "Now, we're seeing an uptick that 50% of the clients in the shelter are children under the age of 18."
They say they have the largest emergency shelter in the region with 36 beds.
Calling their hotline is "our starting point for figuring out what services they need," Frosch said. "Sometimes people call us and they don't actually know what's available or what could help them. They also feel hopeless. Like there is no escape from that situation."
If you're a victim of domestic violence in any way, you can call the Turning Point hotline anytime at (888)-873-7233, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and a staff member will answer your call.
Tomorrow and throughout this week, Lincoln County School District crisis counselors will be on-site at all of their school locations for any individual who would like to reach out.