BLACK JACK, Mo. — Two shootings in north St. Louis County on Friday night have raised alarms about gun safety and violence, resulting in the death of a 5-year-old boy and injuries to two women at separate locations.
Emergency responders arrived at a residence on Jerries Lane shortly before 10 p.m. where they found the young boy with a gunshot wound. Investigators indicated the shooting appeared to be accidental. Despite medical efforts, the child succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital.
Local residents expressed their grief and concern. “People really need to reconsider how they store and handle their firearms to prevent tragedies like this from happening,” said Tabitha Bridges, a neighbor. The police have yet to announce whether any charges will be filed in connection with the child’s death. Past cases have shown that authorities have held adults responsible for not properly securing firearms in households where children are harmed.
In one notable incident last May, a father faced charges after his 11-year-old son accidentally shot himself with an unsecured weapon. Similarly, a man was charged in October when a 3-year-old child was injured in a similar incident involving an unlocked firearm.
In a separate incident on the same night, police responded to a double shooting on Olney Drive in Dellwood. Two women were taken to the hospital, including a 61-year-old woman and her pregnant daughter, who is 37. The older woman remains hospitalized, while her daughter is listed in critical condition. The two lived together along with the daughter’s three children.
Authorities reported that the alleged shooter, Leonard Davies, 67, is related to the victims, being the brother of the older woman and the uncle of the younger victim. He has been charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Residents in Dellwood expressed disbelief over the violence. Marlon Lawson, a local resident, remarked, “It’s shocking and unbelievable. We have a really quiet, nice neighborhood.” Neighbors characterized Davies as a friendly figure, which made the alleged incident all the more difficult to comprehend.
As investigations continue, community members are left grappling with the increasing prevalence of gun violence, calling attention to the need for greater awareness about firearm safety.