Man shot while running off after hearing gunshots, East St. Louis police say
A 29-year-old man was walking with his friend when several gunshots rang out and he was struck by a bullet.
The man, whose name was not released by police, was taken to a St. Louis hospital to receive medical attention, East St. Louis Police Sgt. Cantrell Patterson said.
Police were called to North 22nd and State streets about 9 p.m. Tuesday in reference to a call about a man being shot.
Police met with the victim in the 2200 block of State Street where they learned he and a friend had just finished playing basketball and had just been dropped at the friend’s father’s house, Patterson said.
“As they exited the vehicle, they heard several gunshots near them and decided to run. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his left oblique area,” Patterson said. The man’s friend, whose name was not released by police, was not injured.
The victim was taken to a St. Louis are hospital for medical attention, Patterson said. There were no immediate medical updates on the victim’s condition.
“They were going to a store to get something to drink when the gunshots rang out. The two men said there were at least 50 shots fired,” Patterson said.
“The victims said they saw a white SUV headed south,” Patterson said. “We have not located the suspected vehicle and we do not know what the motive was.
“This aggravated battery remains an active investigation,” Patterson said.
