ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said her office is working with the city’s Office of Violence Prevention after what she described as “street takeovers and dangerous juvenile behavior” that occurred over the weekend in St. Louis, as police responded to shootings, takeovers and large crowds following 314 Day celebrations.
“My office and I are aware of the street takeovers and dangerous juvenile behavior that occurred this past weekend,” Spencer said in a statement. “I want to be clear in saying that these actions were unacceptable and put the safety of our City at risk.”
St. Louis City Police reported they had their hands full during the evening and early morning hours after the celebrations, responding to shootings, street takeovers, and large out-of-control crowds.
On Locust Street in St. Louis, police said two men exchanged fire. A 14-year-old girl was shot at a gathering near Broadway and Halls Ferry in St. Louis when gunshots were fired into a crowd, police said.
Police said street takeovers occurred at multiple locations throughout the city, including near Morganford and Gravois in St. Louis. Some street takeovers involved fireworks, police said. Officers used spike strips to stop approximately 50 cars throughout the night.
Mayor Spencer said the city supports officers who responded and plans additional work aimed at preventing similar incidents.
“We support the efforts of the police officers who responded to these events and will be working with our Office of Violence Prevention to mitigate these activities moving forward,” she said.
Tips about the weekend’s issues may be submitted anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS.
