Since April, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported on at least 12 shootings that ended with a child dead. After the police announced a $25,000 reward for any information on these shootings on Saturday, two more children were shot.
Mayor Krewson, Public Safety Dir. Edwards, Chief Hayden & CrimeStoppers press conference. https://t.co/sUrAt1OEEO
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) August 24, 2019
The city routinely ranks high on the FBI's list of most violent cities in terms of murders per capita. On Sunday, The Washington Post reported a 10-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy became the 12th and 13th child shot to death in the city this year.
Mayor Lyda Krewson announced time-limited rewards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for any information on the recent shooting sprees. She was forced to hold a press conference on Saturday after 8-year-old Jurnee Thompson was shot on Friday.
"This is urgent," Krewson said at a news conference at St. Louis police headquarters. "Right now we hope that we will be able to get information to police today, tomorrow, Monday."
Announcing $25,000 rewards until Sept 1, for tip leading to the arrest of those responsible for killing
2 y/o Kayden Johnson
3 y/o Kennedi Powell
10 y/o Eddie Hill
8 y/o Jurnee ThompsonCall CrimeStoppers- 866-371-8477 – they answer the phone 24/7 – totally anonymous.
— Mayor Lyda Krewson (@LydaKrewson) August 24, 2019
To make matters worse, many of the families of children who have been killed by gun violence know the person who did it, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"It's a difficult problem. It goes from early childhood education, up through summer jobs for teens, to our education system, to drugs, to domestic disputes, so it's a very broad issue," Krewson told local news outlet KSDK.
"Two and a half years ago, the state of Missouri changed the law where now, you don't need a permit, you don't need any training, you don't need anything to carry a gun almost anywhere, any time. And that has really escalated the crime, we believe," she added.
St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden and Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards detailed a list of factors that were exacerbating the issue, including a police department with more than 100 open positions and lax gun laws.
Hayden also complained that witnesses were often refusing to cooperate or send in tips but said some things were changing. Police were able to quickly arrest the shooter behind the killing of 7-year-old Xavier Usanga earlier this month.
