ST. LOUIS – A domestic disturbance call in north St. Louis late Thursday morning resulted in a shooting and a woman taking her own life after police arrived at the scene.

The incident took place shortly after 10 a.m. near the intersection of West Florissant and Arlington avenues in the city’s Mark Twain neighborhood, according to Lt. Col. Michael Sack, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Sack claims police received a domestic disturbance call from a woman who was having an argument with her boyfriend. At one point, the woman took out her own pistol. The boyfriend managed to disarm her, then went outside, got in his car, and sat on the pistol.

The woman reached into her boyfriend’s car and grabbed his pistol, which was tucked in his waistband, Sack said. The boyfriend drove off and the woman allegedly fired at least one shot at him. She fired another shot at a residence and neighbors again called police to report the shooting. No injuries were reported.

The woman kept walking along West Florissant, Sack said.

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Police arrived with members of the department’s Crisis Response Unit and encountered the woman near Alcott Avenue, located in the Walnut Park East neighborhood. Authorities attempted to get the woman to put her pistol down.

Sack claims the woman made a sudden, upward motion with the gun in her hand and an officer fired a single shot in her direction. Almost simultaneously, the woman put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She has not been identified.

Sack said the officer who fired the shot will be placed on leave. The boyfriend is cooperating with investigators.

Sack claims the medical examiner did not find any other injuries on the woman other than the self-inflicted gunshot wound, adding that an autopsy will be conducted so investigators know for sure.

Cynthia Bennett is founder, CEO and executive director of JADASA , an agency that works to eliminate domestic violence.  She’s heartbroken over Thursday’s tragedy and hopes anyone in a violent situation will turn to help before it’s too late.

“We also partner with other human services agencies and mental health agencies because we do need to provide those wraparound services,” said Bennett.

She said many resources are free.

“You don’t have to have insurance,” said Bennett.  “You just have to speak up and let somebody know that you may need some assistance.”

Additional Resources

SAFE CONNECTIONS TEXT LINE
314-531-2003 available 24/7.
www.safeconnections.org

SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN
www.rainn.org
800-656-4673

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
Text “START” to 88788
1-800-799-7233 (Text LOVEIS to 22522).

YWCA DESIGNATED SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE
314-531-7273 available 24/7

HEALING ACTION ST. LOUIS
www.healingaction.org
314-833-4515
Services for survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation, in addition to advocacy and providing awareness of human trafficking.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING NATIONAL HOTLINE
​1-888-373-7888. TTY: 711. Text BeFree 233733
www.humantraffickinghotline.org
More than 200 languages. Also, many other resources on their website.
​
​CHILD ABUSE HOTLINES
To report suspected child abuse in Missouri or Illinois contact:
​Missouri Toll-Free: 800-392-3738
Local (toll): 573-751-3448
Illinois Toll-Free: 800-252-2873
Local (toll): 217-785-4020
Missouri Dept. of Social Services:
www.dss.mo.gov

ELDER ABUSE HOTLINE
To report elder abuse and abuse of people with disabilities:
1-800-392-0210
Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services
health.mo.gov/safety/abuse

ALIVE
Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments
​ www.alivestl.org
St. Louis area 314-993-2777 Crisis Line St. Louis 24-hour Crisis Line: 314.993.2777St. Louis
Franklin County 636-583-5700 or 800-941-9144
Union, MO, PO Box 223, 63048. 636-583-9863
P.O. Box 28733. St. Louis, MO 63146 Office: 314-993-7080
​Counseling, emergency sanctuary, and other critical services to adults and children
impacted by domestic abuse.

CALL FOR HELP, INC. (Southern Illinois)
www.callforhelpinc.org
618-397-0968
Comprehensive crisis and other services in Metro East including sexual abuse and assault.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week Hotline Number 618-397-0975
618-397-0975 – Main Office/Lebanon Rd.
618-462-0552 – Alton
618-271-8990 – East St. Louis
618-667-3350- Troy
618-939-0115- Waterloo
618-397-0968- Transitional Living Center

COVENANT HOUSE
2727 N. Kingshighway 63113
www.covenanthouse.org
314-533-2241
Various locations for teens in crisis.

CRISIS NURSERY
www.crisisnurserykids.org/
24-Hour Helpline: 314-768-3201
A 24-Hour Safe Haven Dedicated to Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect Throughout the Region. Many locations.

FAMILY FORWARD: REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
3309 South Kingshighway 63139
www.familyforwardmo.org/how-we-help/redevelopment-opportunities-women
314-534-9350
A variety of programs and several locations, including housing, for battered women and their children. Emphasis is on financial stability.

KATHY WEINMAN CENTER
6763 Page Ave #201 63133
www.keepingkidsfirst.org
314-423-1117
Temporary, emergency shelter, court advocacy, professional therapy for women and children, support groups. Follow-up supportive services are available. St. Louis County operates this shelter.

LIFE SOURCE CONSULTANTS
www.lifesourceconsultants.org
​Crisis hotline: 314-524-0686
119 Church Street, Suite 219, Ferguson, MO 63135
Domestic and sexual violence crisis center. Provides therapy, support groups, case management, legal advocacy, and more.

LYDIA’S HOUSE
www.lydiashouse.org
314-771-4411
Community and faith-based domestic violence education, transitional housing, crisis intervention, court advocacy, support groups for women and children, case management. They now have a program that allows residents to keep their pets.

JADASA
www.jadasa.org
314-269-0100
Providing assistance to women and teens of domestic violence, along with training and trauma-informed approach programs to help others who may be suffering.

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