Gunshots heard as mayors of KC and St. Louis speak at violence prevention event
The sound of gunshots briefly interrupted a news conference on preventing violence held Friday by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones.
The two mayors spoke outside the Neighborhood Innovation Center in Dutchtown, a neighborhood in St. Louis, following a round table discussion on violent crime, attended virtually by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The shots were fired in an alleyway a few houses down from the event, according to Nick Dunne, a spokesman for Jones’ office. Both of the mayors and attendees of the event were safe.
The incident highlighted the need for efforts aimed at reducing gun violence, Dunne said.
Lucas has been in St. Louis for a two-day tour emphasizing collaboration and public safety.
“Today’s shots reminded us of the reality so many of our sisters, brothers, and babies face each day and the need for change,” Lucas wrote in a Twitter post.
Both Jones, whose home is in north St. Louis, and Lucas, who used to reside in Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine District, have lived in areas experiencing high levels of gun violence.
On social media, Jones said, “I don’t flinch when gunshots ring out; my son and I often fall asleep to a lullaby of gunshots.”
There have been 743 gun-related injuries and 545 deaths in Missouri this year, according to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.
This story was originally published October 29, 2021 at 3:43 PM.
