A tragic shooting incident unfolded in a downtown St. Louis office building, claiming the life of a 17-year-old and leaving nine other teenagers injured. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on a Sunday, during what authorities believe was a teen party held within the office space.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Commissioner Robert Tracy confirmed the deceased victim as 17-year-old Makao Moore. A minor possessing a handgun is currently in custody as a person of interest. The injured teenagers, ranging from 15 to 19 years old, sustained various gunshot wounds, with some suffering multiple hits while others were grazed. A 17-year-old girl also sustained a serious spinal injury after being trampled during the chaotic escape.

The scene of the crime revealed scattered shell casings from AR-15-style rifles and other firearms, indicating the presence of multiple weapons. Commissioner Tracy, along with St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, expressed their grief and called for stricter gun control measures, including banning minors from carrying firearms. They emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, particularly given the state legislature's previous rejection of similar restrictions.

Mayor Jones highlighted the growing trend of young people from surrounding suburbs gathering in downtown St. Louis, noting that roughly half of the victims were not city residents. She emphasized the city's efforts to create more safe spaces and activities for teenagers while urging neighboring communities to collaborate in addressing this regional concern. Commissioner Tracy, who previously served in law enforcement in New York City, Chicago, and Wilmington, Delaware, stressed the unusual nature of St. Louis's firearm regulations regarding minors, underscoring the need for change.