North City business defends itself after shooting on Sunday
“We get blamed for everything that happens on Shreve.”
ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) - St. Louis Police continue to try and track down leads in a shooting that injured a teenager. The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. outside a convenience store that some residents say has become a problem property.
“We can’t control what happens outside of the store,” said Nael Jaouni, the owner of Sam’s St. Louis Packing Co.
Sam’s St. Louis Packing Co.’s owner is defending their business after the teenager was shot on Shreve Avenue in North City on Sunday.
“We get blamed for everything that happens on Shreve,” said Jaouni.
Multiple social media comments and neighbors are calling for the convenience store to be shut down.
“The corner shop... It attracts all of the bad,” said one neighbor.
That neighbor believes the store is the root of the problems in the neighborhood.
“Within this neighborhood, we’ve seen a number of shooting incidents... We believe they’re connected,” said Lt. Adam Duke of the 6th District.
“The city allows all these young guys to carry guns, and if they can’t do anything, what am I supposed to do? I do as much as I can to keep the storefront safe, the community safe, but I can’t really do much,” said Jaouni.
The store has multiple signs: no guns allowed, no hanging out, no loitering.
“I don’t want to risk my life at the same time, they all have guns, I’m not going to go fight everybody,” said Jaouni.
Jaouni says the signs aren’t enough and wants the City to do more to help. He says at one point, there were crime cameras, but they’re gone now.
“They could put it on my building if they want. I would pay for the electric, I really wish there was a permanent camera out here,” said Jaouni.
Jaouni says the store is more to the neighborhood than just a hangout spot, providing hot food and groceries for the walking community that may not be able to get to the nearest grocery store.
“What are these people supposed to do if we get shut down? Nobody is going to feed them if they need food or anything... No one is going to help them out if they need school supplies or anything,” said Jaouni.
The injured teen was transported to the hospital on Sunday. Police said he was in critical condition.
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