Three dead and 14 injured in 10 shootings this weekend

Lina PortmanJune 4, 2024

0 2 minutes read

ST. LOUIS — There were 10 shootings in the city of St. Louis over the weekend that left 17 people injured, three of whom died, according to St. Louis Metropolitan Police Commissioner Robert Tracy.

At a news conference Monday, Tracy said none of the shootings appeared to be related.

The latest shooting took place Sunday evening at the Playground Bar and Grill, where six people were shot.

Of those injured, two were convicted felons and two others were known gang members.

“We have seen guns in the hands of convicted felons time and time again,” Tracy said. “We need to hold them accountable.”

He said more than 100 shell casings were at the scene.

SLMPD is working with stakeholders at the Playground Bar and Grill to resolve issues as other incidents have occurred there, according to Tracy.

So far this year, there have been 19 calls for service in the area. The investigation is ongoing.

Police are also investigating a shooting that occurred on Washington Avenue, where the suspect and victim are both from Branson. Tracy said SLMPD is working with Branson police.

Two other homicides occurred at Kingshighway and Pennsylvania Avenue. Tracy said police had “very good leads” on investigations.

Since Friday, 36 weapons have been submitted to the SLMPD crime lab. Tracy said four firearms were seized during a search warrant and two others were recovered by officers as two people shot each other from their vehicles at North Market and Broadway.

“Our officers are on scene and doing a good job,” Tracy said.

He mentioned that 400 armed people have been arrested so far this year and 1,000 firearms have been seized.

Summer

Tracy said SLMPD is ready for summer and has 880 officers conducting patrols across the city, department-approved overtime and competitive secondary shifts.

He said 28 people are currently in training, bringing the total to 908 officers.

The budget calls for about 1,224 officers and Tracy said he would be comfortable with 1,220 officers in the department.

Tracy said the number of officers will increase with ongoing recruiting marketing campaigns and the raise received by SLMPD officers last year.

Crime Statistics

So far this year, there have been 74 homicides, compared to a total of 75 in 2023. There have been 71 homicides in 2022 and 78 in 2021, according to Tracy.

Last year, the rate of solved homicides, or closed cases, was over 70%, which is higher than the national average, Tracy said. So far this year, the solved homicide rate is 61%, which is also higher than the national average.

The “Save Lives Now” initiative launched last month aims to reduce the number of homicides in the region by 20 percent, Tracy said.

He added that crime was down 21% compared to the same period last year.

“We have a comprehensive plan,” Tracy said. “We're very flexible in trying to make sure we stay ahead of the patterns and trends.”

He mentioned recent cases where police officers were interrupted by gunfire.

Tracy said violence would not be tolerated.

“We will not tolerate gang violence. We will not tolerate gun violence,” he said. “We will use everything in our power to ensure that people are brought to justice. »

Tracy explained how SLMPD leverages technology and works with Mayor Jones' administration, the Office of Violence Prevention, the Office of Behavioral Health, and faith-based organizations.