Police didn't find anyone Thursday night when called about a shooting, but the morning light revealed a dead teen in the yard of a man heading to work.

The body of Lee Morton, 19, of East St. Louis, was found at 7 a.m. Friday in the back yard of a house in the 1600 block of North 43rd Street. East St. Louis Police Chief Michael Floore said a resident who lived in the home came out Friday morning to go to work and saw the body on the ground.

Floore also said police received a call at 10:44 p.m. Thursday about shots fired and a man down night in the 1600 block of North 43rd Street.

"When police went out to check the area, they did not find anybody," Floore said.

Morton is believed to be that person. He is the city's 19th homicide victim this year.

Asked whether it appeared Morton was shot where he was found, Floore said he wasn't sure.

"I don't know whether he was shot somewhere else and ran to that location or what the circumstances are. We are investigating the case with assistance from the Illinois State Police.

"We have just begun the investigation and we want anyone in the public who may know something about this fatal shooting to call the police department at 482-6700 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS," Floore said.