A high school track meet in Missouri turned into a nightmare when gunfire erupted, leaving one teen dead and another fighting for his life — and the accused shooter is just 13 years old.
The shocking violence unfolded Tuesday evening, March 31, outside STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkeley High School in Ferguson, just outside St. Louis. Families and students were heading out after the event when shots suddenly rang out in the parking lot.
Police say officers rushed to the scene around 7:02 p.m. and found two boys — ages 13 and 15 — suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both were rushed to the hospital, but the younger victim did not survive. The 15-year-old remains in serious condition.
Authorities quickly tracked down the suspected shooter just two blocks away, where he was taken into custody along with a weapon.
What makes the case even more disturbing is the suspect’s age.
Officials confirmed that a 13-year-old has now been charged in connection with the shooting, facing serious counts including second-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.
Investigators say they are still trying to determine what led to the shooting, and the motive remains unclear as the case continues to unfold.
“This is a heartbreaking incident that has deeply impacted our community,” Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle said, offering condolences to the victim’s family and urging the public to keep those affected in their thoughts.
The Ferguson-Florissant School District said the track meet included students from around 20 different schools, and emphasized that none of its own students or families were directly involved.
Still, the tragedy has shaken the entire community.
The young suspect, whose name has not been released due to his age, is currently being held in custody as the investigation moves forward.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together how a routine school event ended in deadly violence.