Six homicides within 12 hours in an unusually high number for St. Louis, which has a population of about 320,000 people and recorded 159 homicides in 2014. Dotson and Slay linked the overnight violence to crime increases in the area documented since the fatal Ferguson police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown more than five months ago in north St. Louis County.
"To see this much violence going on in our city within such a short period of time, it is absolutely outrageous," Slay said. "It's out of hand. It disgusts me."
The first fatal shooting happened about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday during a home invasion near Fountain Park. The city's medical examiner's office identified Leon Rivers, 34, as the victim, who was shot as he ran from the home. A 29-year-old man is in custody.
Shortly after midnight, a man was found shot in the hallway of an apartment complex in the Carondelet neighborhood. Police say Kenny Burgett, 19, was confronted by his girlfriend's former BOYFRIEND
. The 22-year-old suspect challenged Burgett to a fist fight before shooting him, according to police.
. The 22-year-old suspect challenged Burgett to a fist fight before shooting him, according to police.
Just eight minutes later, two men died after a shooting and robbery on a street in the Dutchtown neighborhood. The victims were identified as Eric Lee, 21, and Jerivon Taylor, 20.
A sixth homicide was reported around 8 a.m. Thursday, when Cheri Simpson, 32, was shot to death in her car just south of downtown St. Louis while waiting at a stoplight. Capt. Michael Sack said police have arrested the woman's ex-boyfriend.
No comment from your gun loons on this article.
ReplyDelete"Dotson and Slay linked the overnight violence to crime increases in the area documented since the fatal Ferguson police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown more than five months ago in north St. Louis County."
ReplyDeleteIf that is truly the cause, I imagine we could also make the comment that arsons are up too.
How about my argument that gun availability is up.
Delete"How about my argument that gun availability is up."
DeleteYou also claim that gun ownership is down. Homicides AND aggravated assault are down and have been declining steadily. Perhaps you should consider the excuses given by law enforcement in Chicago when asked about the fairly frequent weekends filled with shootings and homicides while the rest of the state enjoys fairly low rates of both.
Its interesting that somehow an instance of people unhappy with a grand jury outcome can somehow be attributed to violence completely unrelated to the event.
Gun availability to criminals and lawful gun ownership are two different things.
Delete