Victim shoots armed suspects as St. Louis robbery backfires

ST. LOUIS - A victim shot two suspects during an armed robbery Tuesday evening at a south St. Louis park, police say. The victim exchanged gunfire with the suspects and was also wounded.

The events occurred around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Amberg Park, located in St. Louis' Bevo neighborhood.

According to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department crime summary report, the victim was sitting in the park when two armed suspects approached him and demanded his backpack at gunpoint. After handing over the backpack, the victim quickly drew his own firearm and exchanged shots with the suspects.

Officers responded to the scene and briefly spoke with the victim, a man in his 30s, before he was taken to a hospital for treatment shortly thereafter.

Investigators later learned that two men in their 20s arrived to a hospital with gunshot wounds to their lower bodies and determined they were suspects involved in the robbery, based on their injuries and other evidence.

Both suspects remain hospitalized in stable condition and are now in police custody. Both are expected to face charges.