PAGEDALE, Mo. — A man is facing multiple charges in connection with a double shooting that left a boy dead and a woman injured in Pagedale Wednesday.
Erric Boyd, 31, was charged with second-degree murder, assault and multiple other crimes in connection with the shooting in the 7800 block of Page Avenue, a press release from the Major Case Squad said Thursday.
Pagedale Police Chief Eddie Simmons said the shooting happened near the intersection of Page Avenue and North Hanley Road at around 3 p.m. The boy was found shot to death on the sidewalk and the woman was found in the street with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Police originally believed the male victim was in his 20s, but the Major Case Squad identified him as a juvenile Thursday.
The boy was pronounced dead on the scene of the shooting while the woman was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities said preliminary clues show the woman to be in her 30s. They are not identifying the victims until their families are notified.
In all, Boyd was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held on a $750,000, cash-only bond.
Onlookers watched in disbelief Wednesday that the double shooting happened so close to them.
"I was sitting outside and I heard like 12 gunshots,” said a man who asked not to be identified.
He was there as authorities cleaned the bloody and deadly scene on Page and Hanley Thursday evening, not far from the Pagedale and Vinita Park border.
"I'm like 'Man that was close.' It was loud,” the neighbor said.
It prompted him to follow the police cars. That’s when he saw a man lying on the sidewalk and a woman lying in the road.
"They had the dogs out and stuff when I was up here,” the neighbor added.
Pagedale Police called on the St. Louis County Air Patrol and the Major Case Squad to help them investigate. Authorities found some clothing near the scene that might link them to the suspect.
"It's just out of control,” Pagedale Police Chief Eddie Simmons said. He is growing tired of hearing about shootings all over the metro. "It seems like it's an everyday occurrence with this gun violence…No one wants to de-escalate and just talk it out."
Wednesday, a crowd of people watched authorities gather clues. Many of them are surprised crime rocked the community they love.
"A lot of retired people. A lot of kids. A lot of families. Real peaceful area,” the neighbor said.”
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to “stabilize inner-city neighborhoods.” One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
To learn more, call 314-381-8200 or visit https://www.betterfamilylife.org/
Life Outside of Violence “helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence.”
To learn more, call 314-327-6697 or email: ProjectLOV@WUSTL.edu
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with Saint Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
To learn more, visit https://www.ulstl.com/anti-crime-initiative.html
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities. To learn more, visit https://cvg.org/