Police: 100 gunshots ring out ahead of Downtown West double shooting

DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) - A teen was arrested following a double shooting in the Downtown West neighborhood overnight.

Witnesses told officers a group of people in the 1900 block of Washington was arguing with another group in the 400 block of North 20th Street late Tuesday into Wednesday morning. The argument escalated until both parties fired shots at each other. Officers from the city’s Mobile Reserve Unit heard around 100 gunshots just after midnight. The unit consists of 10 officers who focus on area hotspots.

A 20-year-old female was the passenger in a car nearby when she was hit in the chest. Police found a 28-year-old man with a gunshot to the foot. They were both taken to hospitals for treatment.

Officers saw a man running in the area. He told them he was standing in the street on 20th when someone from a balcony on Washington started shooting at him. He said he fired back. He wasn’t injured.

Officers went inside the property on Washington and found a 17-year-old. He was the only person there. Officers also reportedly found a “large quantity of suspected narcotics, firearms, and several bags of narcotics manufacturing materials.”

“From our understanding at this juncture, there are three separate [short-term rental properties] in play,” St. Louis Metropolitan Police Lt. Matthew Karnowski said describing the scene. “We believe this stems from large [short-term rental property] parties and the participants of those parties feuding.”

The St. Louis Police Department originally stated the property was an Airbnb, but later clarified it was a “short-term rental property.” Airbnb confirmed to News 4 that they have no reservations at the property. Airbnb also said there have not been any Airbnb listings for several years in the 1900 block of Washington.

Someone’s apartment and K&H Dentistry both sustained damage. Dozens of shell casings and three guns were collected.

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