LAKE ST LOUIS, Mo. — On Tuesday, Liberty High School students, family and friends honored the memory of 15-year-old Lydia Elking who was killed in a shooting in St. Charles on Saturday.
St. Charles Police arrested and charged two teen boys with second-degree murder in the case.
Elking’s classmates held the memorial in Lake St. Louis at Liberty High School’s Stadium.
“They all say that she had such an energetic spirit that she was always having a good time ... always smile on her face ... always happy and always a loving person. I think that's such a respectable thing to hear about her and it was such an honor to support her today,” one of the student event organizers, Charity Edney, said.
Another organizer and student, Layla Thornton, said Elking was loved by so many and made a big impact on her friends and soccer teammates -- which really showed just by the sheer number of people at the stadium memorial.
“I think everyone that has spoken about her, posted about her, said something, have all said that she had a smile that lit up the room and just a personality that brightened every place that she walked into,” Thornton said.
The St. Charles Police Department said Elking was in a car with a 17-year-old boy near Oak Avenue and Perry Street where they were meeting two other teen boys.
Suddenly that meeting took a turn and the teens said they were going to rob Elking and the 17-year-old firing shots into the car, shooting Elking.
The boy she was with drove straight to the hospital where she died.
“It's very shocking. Just because ... you know ... high schoolers die in car accidents and as high schoolers you experience those things. But I've never heard of someone I know this close passing in such a tragic way,” Thornton said.
Both organizers of the memorial event said they honored three students who died, including Elking and they hope this event helps the community heal.
“I think it just shows the community that we have here, the unity that we have at Liberty. Our community can come together and really just love each other, hug each other, pray for each other, and show support. I think that's what we need right now for sure,” Edney said.
The two teen boys arrested in this case are also facing robbery, assault and armed criminal action charges.
They are currently being held in the St. Charles County Detention Center.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku or Amazon Fire TV.
5 On Your Side news app