ST. LOUIS – One woman arrested in a Cherokee Street weekend shooting is no longer in jail. Police say she has been released after the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office refused to issue charges.
Police arrested a 33-year-old woman over the investigation into a shooting Saturday evening as a Cinco de Mayo festival was wrapping up for the day. Photos shared by police Monday in connection with the case showed one woman, suspected to be the woman caught on camera, and another man holding weapons.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department tells FOX 2 that the circuit attorney’s office refused all charges, citing a “lack of evidence” for one count of each charge and stating “victim refuses to assist” in the case of each charge. Investigators had tried for two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office shared the following statement to FOX 2 on the decision to refuse charges:
“We are working closely with police on this on-going investigation. We cannot comment further at this time.”
It’s unclear what this might mean for another suspect wanted by SLMPD in the shooting. Police have identified another person of interest in this case, though have not arrested him yet or disclosed their identity.
The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the 2700 block of Cherokee Street. Police say a woman was shot in the leg and the man suffered a graze wound to his upper thigh. Both victims were hospitalized, but are now in stable condition.
Investigators say the victims were standing near an intersection and observing a fight amongst some men when one suspect began waving a handgun around. During the incident, one of the suspects reportedly fired a gunshot.
Police described the second suspect as a Black man, standing 5’8″ to 5’10”, with a medium build and light brown complexion, with long braided hair. During the shooting, he was wearing a Cardinals jersey with a white undershirt, light blue jeans with horizontal tears at the knees, and white tennis shoes.
Anyone with additional information in this investigation should contact SLMPD at 314-444-5371.
The Saturday-evening shooting followed another overnight last Friday in which two people died, and two others were hurt right in the heart of Cherokee Street at Exotic Bar and Grill. Despite the overnight shooting, thousands gathered for the festival Saturday along Cherokee Street in south St. Louis for a parade, live performances, food, drinks and more.
CORRECTION: It’s FOX 2’s policy to not name people who have not been charged. The story has been updated to reflect that policy.
