ST. LOUIS — An officer has been shot south of downtown St. Louis Friday night.
The officer, who is 24 years old and has been with the department for 7 months, was shot near the 900 block of LaSalle Park Court. This is near LaSalle Park Village.
Officers with the Third District received a call for a child dispute in the 900 block of Lebanon around 7:15 p.m. and that's when officers heard shots being fired. One of the officers was shot in the left leg. A fellow officer applied a tourniquet to the officer's leg before he was transported to a hospital.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief John Hayden held a briefing around 9:15 p.m. He said he was able to speak to the officer and he is in "good spirits." The injury is not life-threatening.
Hayden said it's unclear if the gunfire was aimed directly at the officer. No suspects have been taken into custody. The investigation remains active.
He's the 11th officer to be shot in the line of duty in St. Louis in the last 6 months, Hayden said.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson released the following statement:
“First and foremost, I am thankful that it looks like our young officer will recover after getting shot in the line of duty tonight in LaSalle Park.
This marks our City’s 11th police officer hit by gunfire while serving and protecting our community since June.
I’m also incredibly grateful to this officer’s partner for applying aid in the field and immediately jumping into action to get them to safety.
Event still, I am saddened and disappointed to see continued violence against our law enforcement officers continuing in the new year.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as 5 On Your Side receives more information.
5 On Your Side's Christine Byers contributed to this report.