CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill — A teenager who was previously reported missing was found shot to death Saturday in Cahokia Heights.
The Cahokia Heights Police Department requested the help of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis after 19-year-old Daniel L. Nunn was found shot and killed Saturday in the area of Melvin and Lazarcheff drives, just off of Camp Jackson Road.
According to a news release from the Major Case Squad, Nunn had previously been reported missing to the Washington Park Police Department.
Nunn's uncle, Chris Hodges, said on Monday, March 18, Daniel left his house and went down the street. When he never returned Hodge's mother Facetimed him.
"My mother took it upon herself to call his cell phone and he answered, but she found out he was in a car when he answered, and he said, 'I'll be right back granny' and never showed up," Hodges said.
Later they reported him missing and started looking for him, posting fliers and pictures on social media.
"When he didn't answer his phone. That's when the red flags really went up," Hodges said.
Then he received a call he never expected to receive; police told him they'd found a body and it was Nunn's.
"By getting that call, it was a 10% relief, but a 90% devastation of how he was found. We weren't expecting it. We would have expected the police to find him and say, we got him, we got your son and we'll bring him home. That didn't happen," Hodges said.
His cousin Ashley said she's been there for Nunn ever since he was born and just can't fathom why someone would do this.
"I watched all of them grow up and it's devastating because I have three sons myself and they’re all around the same age. So it’s like you can’t imagine why somebody would take this young man's life like that," she said.
Hodges said Nunn loved to play sports and was currently studying to get his GED and go back to school, but now they’re planning his funeral. While they don’t know what happened, they want the violence in their community to stop.
"We've been trying to stop the violence. We've been trying to bring awareness to the kids. Guns are not the answer. Fighting is not the answer, either," Hodges said.
Now the family wants justice and answers, pleading with the community to come forward with information.
No other information was available as of Sunday, including what led up to the shooting.
Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact the Cahokia Heights Police Department at 618-337-4277. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8447).
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.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
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."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
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