ST. LOUIS – Authorities arrested three weapon-wielding teenagers overnight in Downtown St. Louis near the scene of another shooting that followed the city’s Fourth of July festivities on Thursday.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reports that three suspects were taken into custody: A 19-year-old man from Florissant, an 18-year-old man from Belleville and a 17-year-old juvenile.

SLMPD calls on parents to take action in wake of recent shootings and arrests downtown.

“Parents and guardians need to have conversations with kids in their care. Carrying firearms and/or air soft guns are dangerous and could be deadly,” said SLMPD via social media platform X on Saturday .

Police say the three arrests stemmed from a reported disturbance early Saturday morning. Officers responded to the corner of 8th and Chestnut streets around 4:30 a.m. after several calls that juveniles and young adults were reportedly “impeding traffic and brandishing firearms.”

Police quickly arrested the two older teens, also recovering two firearms. Police apprehended the 17-year-old after a brief foot pursuit and learned he was armed with an airsoft gun. The juvenile’s mother later took custody of her son.

The scene of the arrests was also the scene of a shooting just after midnight Friday within hours of the city’s main Fourth of July fireworks show. Police say four people were hospitalized after they were shot near 8th and Chestnut. Around that same time, within a few blocks, three others were also shot.

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It’s unclear if the suspects arrested Saturday are connected to Friday’s gun violence downtown.

If you have any relevant information to help St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department as they investigate this weekend’s incidents, contact the department at 314-444-25000 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).

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