Three shot and wounded at gathering for student killed at Harding High
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Updated: Feb. 25, 12:15 p.m. | Posted: Feb. 24, 8:57 p.m.
An drive-by shooting wounded three people at a St. Paul recreation center on Friday night.
St. Paul police said they were called to the Wellstone Center on Robie Street on the city’s West Side just before 8 p.m. on a report of a shooting with multiple victims.
They found three male juveniles had been shot, although none appeared to have suffered life threatening injuries and were taken to Region’s Hospital.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher posted word of the incident on his Live on Patrol Facebook page, saying that a funeral reception had been taking place for Devin Scott, the 15-year-old stabbed to death earlier this month at Harding High School.
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“Appears to be a drive by shooting,” Fletcher said. “One vehicle fled and crashed a mile away. Suspects fled on foot. No one in custody.”
TV news reports showed bullet damage to the doors of the El Rio Vista recreation center, including broken door glass at the building entrance. Fletcher said in an additional text message that the shots had been fired through a door at the facility.
St. Paul police said witnesses reported a white sedan had driven by the Wellstone Center and that someone from that vehicle had fired into the building. Officers found a white car involved in a crash nearby, but that two people from the sedan had fled and could not be located. The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured.
Police apprehended a 16-year-old male running from the scene and found him armed with a handgun — apparently modified for rapid fire and loaded with an extended magazine. The teen was taken into custody, but it wasn’t clear if he had any connection to the shooting.
Police said they are investigating the shooting and any connection it might have to any other incidents.
Scott was stabbed and died at Harding High School on Feb. 10, on what was reportedly his first day at the school. A 16-year-old Harding student is facing murder charges in the case, and prosecutors are seeking to have him tried as an adult.
The latest act of violence left community members saddened. Rev. Darryl Spence of New Hope Baptist Church attended the funeral service and them spent time with families at the hospital following the shooting.
He said the cycle of violence “hurts” and he encouraged more adults to get involved with mentoring.
“Not everyone is called to come out and do what we do. But if you have the strength and you want to walk with us, if you want to work with these kids, reach out to us” Spence said. “Because if the grown folks get together, the young folks will get in line.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are available.
