ST. LOUIS – Seven people were shot in Downtown St. Louis within a few hours after the city’s main Fourth of July fireworks show.
Several of those victims were hospitalized, but none have died from their injuries as of Friday afternoon, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
This comes after the Celebrate St. Louis fireworks show, which began around 9:40 p.m. and ended around 10 p.m. The event drew thousands of people to Downtown St. Louis.
Police first responded to a report of a shooting just after midnight into Friday.
LIST: These St. Louis-area Fourth of July events are postponed due to weather
Officers first learned that four victims were driven to a hospital after they were shot near Eighth and Pine Streets. The victims later informed police they were walking together when they heard gunfire and realized they were shot as they tried to run away from the scene.
These victims, a 20-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and two 18-year-old women, are considered to be in stable condition, according to police.
Shortly after the first report of a shooting, officers responded to another report just blocks away at Seventh and Pine Streets. Police found a 13-year-old at the scene with an apparent gunshot wound.
As the 13-year-old was rushed to a hospital for treatment, police learned that two other people were shot in that same area and privately driven to the same hospital. Those two victims, both 23-year-old men, informed police they were watching other illegally set off fireworks when they felt pain and realized they were shot.
Mayor Tishaura Jones released a statement Friday evening on the incident:
“What happened last night is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to all of the victims, their families, and the entire St. Louis community. The simple fact is this: there are too many guns on our streets. A small group of individuals with easy access to firearms have put a cloud over a day when thousands of residents got to enjoy their Fourth of July in downtown St. Louis safely. Chief Robert Tracy and the SLMPD have my full support as they conduct their investigation, and I encourage anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).”
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Police are investigating the shooting injuries, though it’s unclear if there’s any suspect connections to the two reported shooting scenes. No arrests have been reported at this time.
A spokesperson for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department issued the following statement Friday in response to the investigation:
“On July 4, thousands of residents and visitors safely celebrated Independence Day in downtown St. Louis with little issue. It’s unfortunate that well after the fireworks and festivities ended, some chose to stay downtown to illegally discharge fireworks which ultimately resulted in gunfire. Any act of gun violence is unacceptable. District 4 detectives have been assigned to investigate the incident. Anyone with information about what happened should call (314) 444-2500 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).”
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
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