Teen hockey player from O’Fallon shot in vehicle driven by father has died
Colin Brown, a 16-year-old hockey standout from O’Fallon, has died, four days after he was shot while riding in a vehicle with his father on Interstate 55 in South St. Louis after a game.
Mitch McCoy, spokesman for St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, made the announcement in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
“Colin’s family has asked that I relay their deep appreciation to law enforcement, the hockey community and those who loved Colin,” he stated. “They are asking for privacy at this time.
“Colin — a beloved and talented hockey player — passed away but not before giving the ultimate gift of life. Earlier today, Colin’s organs were donated to other patients in desperate need.
“This donation is an example of the type of young man Colin was and the kind of family he grew up in. Their steadfast commitment to serve those around them — should inspire us all.”
Colin was a student and varsity hockey player at Christian Brothers College High School in Town and Country, Missouri. He also played with the Affton Americans hockey club in Affton, Missouri, and formerly was a junior varsity player with O’Fallon Ice Hockey Club.
The shooting occurred late Saturday night. According to St. Louis police:
- A stray bullet struck Colin as his family’s vehicle was traveling southbound on Interstate 55 in the area of Loughborough Avenue in South St. Louis.
- His father, Calvin Brown, a retired lieutenant colonel with Illinois State Police, was driving the vehicle.
- Brown notified law enforcement, which met him at the intersection of Fourth and Walnut in downtown St. Louis.
- From there, EMS rushed Colin to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition.
- Police closed Interstate 55 on Saturday and Sunday nights and recovered evidence of a shooting both times.
The shooter or shooters have not been identified.
“Our homicide detectives have been working around the clock to ensure justice is served in Colin’s name,” McCoy wrote in the statement. “Since Monday, we have received numerous tips that Homicide detectives are following up on.
“I can also confirm that we have received new video — that is being reviewed. We’re not sure what’s (in) that video yet — but it is new and our detectives are working to analyze it.
“We cannot stress how important it is for residents living in the area of I-55 and Loughborough to review their home security cameras — which may have captured the shooting.”
Police are asking anyone who was driving on Interstate 55 in the Loughborough area on Saturday night and witnessed gunfire or was in the area when the shooting occurred to call detectives at 314-444-5371.
“No tip or piece of information is too small,” McCoy wrote. “Every little bit helps us bring the person or persons responsible to justice.”
In the days after the shooting, the hockey community in the metro-east, St. Louis and Chicago came together to support Colin and his family, holding prayer vigils, posting social-media messages and raising money.
The Brown family released a statement Sunday night on Facebook, thanking St. Louis police and Illinois State Police for their efforts to find the person or persons responsible for “this senseless crime against our beloved son.”
“As a family and as a former law enforcement official with over 28 years of experience, we believe that greater efforts are needed in the City of St. Louis and the surrounding region to support the police and equip them with the necessary tools to combat such senseless, violent gun crimes,” the statement read.
The Browns also thanked hockey communities throughout the region for their “overwhelming support.” The statement ended with “Fight for Brownie #72,” referring to Colin’s jersey number.
This story was originally published November 27, 2024 at 3:23 PM.
