BLACK JACK, Mo. — Two separate shootings late Friday night in north St. Louis County have raised alarm over the persistently high rates of gun violence in the region, resulting in the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy and the hospitalization of two women. Investigators were called to a residence on Jerries Lane shortly before 10 p.m., where they discovered the young boy suffering from a gunshot wound, which authorities believe occurred accidentally. Efforts to save the child at a local hospital were unsuccessful, leading to profound grief and outrage in the community.
Local residents voiced their concerns about gun safety, with one neighbor, Tabitha Bridges, emphasizing the urgent need for responsible firearm storage. “People need to reconsider how they secure their guns, especially in homes with children,” she said. Investigators have not yet announced whether any charges will be filed in connection with the child’s death. However, local prosecutors have previously taken action against adults whose failure to secure firearms resulted in similar tragedies.
This incident echoes a growing trend of cases involving unsecured guns that have led to injury or fatalities among children. Last May, a father faced severe legal consequences after his 11-year-old son fatally shot himself while playing with an unsecured weapon. In another instance, a three-year-old accidentally shot himself after accessing an unsecured firearm at home, prompting legal action against the child’s guardian.
In an unrelated incident on the same night, two women were shot on Olney Drive in Dellwood. Their identities have been confirmed as a 61-year-old mother and her 37-year-old pregnant daughter, both of whom were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The older woman is in stable condition, while her daughter remains in critical condition. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and alerted authorities to the situation.
The shooter, identified as Leonard Davies, 67, is related to both victims, being the brother of the mother and uncle to the daughter. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault and armed criminal action, as well as endangering the welfare of a child. Neighbors expressed disbelief at the events, describing Davies as a generally kind and helpful person whose alleged actions contradict his known character.
The community has experienced an unsettling shift, as residents had previously regarded their neighborhood as peaceful and safe. Marlon Lawson, a neighbor in Dellwood, conveyed his shock, remarking, “It’s hard to believe something like this could happen here. Our neighborhood has always been quiet and nice.”
As investigations into both shootings continue, they serve as somber reminders of the ongoing issues surrounding gun violence and safety in the region. Community leaders and residents alike are calling for greater awareness and action to prevent similar incidents in the future.