ST. LOUIS — A late-night shooting at a popular bar in the historic Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis is adding to growing concerns over safety there. Residents tell FOX 2 they are frustrated, but not surprised, over the recent crime.
The shooting happened late Wednesday night outside of the popular bar Molly’s in Soulard. Police say it started with a fight inside the bar and then spilled over outside. The victim suffered two gunshot wounds to the leg. Police said he’s in critical but stable condition.
People who live and work in the area said they weren’t surprised to hear this happen. Marcel Jones works nearby.
“You got people; you got drinking; you got youngsters. And then you got guns,” Jones said.
Jones said he sees two major problems in Soulard: too many guns and not enough police officers patrolling the area.
“Fist fight? No big deal,” Jones said. “But nowadays, people don’t fist fight. Nowadays, it ends up turning into a shooting.”
According to crime data from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, crime is up in several categories in District 3 this year; the area includes the Soulard neighborhood. Robberies, burglaries, aggravated assaults, and shootings are all up. Thefts, meanwhile, are down more than 30%.
Before last night, police had responded to calls for service to Molly’s for three assaults, a fight, a shooting, and five ‘disturbances.’
Todd Oberhuber lives down the street from Molly’s in Soulard. He heard the shots ring out late Wednesday. He said he feels less safe here than he did when he moved to Soulard 20 years ago.
“A lot more shootings, and a lot more, you know, violent stuff happening,” Oberhuber said.
Alderwoman Cara Spencer represents District 3. Spencer told FOX 2 over the phone Thursday that neighbors have expressed a lot of concerns to her recently over crime and safety. She said she thinks adding more officers to the force to respond to violent crimes, like the one that happened Wednesday night at Molly’s, could make a big difference.
Oberhuber agrees.
“I know they’re spread really thin; I know they’re trying to hire more. But I think that’s something we need, though. We need more police presence in the neighborhoods,” Oberhuber said.
An SLMPD spokesperson released this statement to FOX 2:
“We’re committed to public safety across all neighborhoods, including Soulard. Nine trainees became police officers earlier tonight and we are processing the more than 100 applications received in the last two months for potential trainees. We applaud those individuals wanting to protect and serve.”
An attorney representing Molly’s in Soulard told FOX 2 that the bar has no comment on the fight or subsequent shooting outside of the establishment.
