1 dead; 4 shot during balloon release for homicide victim

ST. LOUIS - District 5 Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) are investigating a deadly shooting that left four injured and one person dead Wednesday evening.

According to police, the shooting happened in the 5900 block of Wells, located in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood. Mitch McCoy, SLMPD spokesperson said the shooting happened during a balloon release for a homicide victim.

"There was a balloon release tonight when shots were fired," McCoy said. "Multiple people were injured by gunfire."

Major Janice Bockstruck said that when officers arrived at the scene, they located multiple victims suffering from gunshot injuries.

"Sometime during (the balloon release), gunshots occurred," Bockstruck said. "And we have one victim who died this evening--we have another victim of violence in the community."

Bockstruck says one victim is in critical condition; three others are in stable condition. One gun has been located by officers, according to SLMPD.

Due to so many people at the balloon releasing event, police are unable to identify a person of interest at this time. The victims are all males; their ages range between 19 and early 30s.

District 5 Officers are investigating the shooting