ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louis County police responded to a report of a shooting in north St. Louis County Thursday afternoon.
“I have never seen anything like that,” said neighbor, Frank James.
“All I heard were multiple gunshots that day,” said neighbor, Rick Lindsey.
Lindsey says the shooting victim was sitting in a white, bullet-riddled car outside the vacant house on Cameron Road when the incident happened.
“Those police officers pulled him out of the car. He was all bloody,” said Lindsey.
County police said one man with apparent gunshot wounds was found on the 400 block of Cameron Road. He was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Editor's note: The above-related video was originally broadcast on Jan. 18, 2024.
The Tactical Operations Unit was on the scene because police believed a person who was connected to the shooting was inside a vacant house on that street.
Dozens of officers were at the scene and surrounded the house where the apparent shooting suspect was believed to be barricaded himself inside, according to 5 On Your Side's Robert Townsend. SWAT team members were also at the scene.
At about 10:30 p.m., the Tactical Operations Unit cleared the vacant home and did not find any suspects, county police said. They also spoke with all occupants at the house next door in an attempt to locate any suspects.
Five days after the standoff, spokesperson Sgt. Tracy Panus with the St. Louis County Police Department confirmed, "The suspect was not in the vacant house."
“I’m just kind of shocked. They did all that and didn’t even know that he was not in that house which makes it even scary because he’s still out there. Are you kidding me?” James asked.
Police say they “questioned many individuals” including several men and a woman 5 On Your Side saw walk out of a house next door.
However, nearly a week later, officers are still looking for the suspect they say was involved in the shooting and standoff.
“I don’t think they’re going to find him,” said neighbor, Rita Crum.
“I’m hoping they would find him,” added James.
Panus also said the shooting victim remains in the hospital in critical condition as of Tuesday evening.
Additional information will be provided once a suspect is in custody.
Police are asking anyone with information to call the St. Louis County Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371 8477.
This is a developing story. Additional details will be added.
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 de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.