ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has issued a public safety alert regarding multiple crimes against sex workers in St. Louis City.
Police say sex workers have been targeted and either shot or shot at by unknown suspects.
These shootings happened on September 16 on the 3800 block of W. Florissant and the 4500 block of Adelaide.
Police are also investigating two August robberies on Cote Brilliante. Investigators say those incidents involved a suspect named “D” that had been meeting women on the MegaPersonals dating app for consensual sex. Police say “D” would then rob the women.
Separate from the alert, police report other cases of deadly violence in nearby neighborhoods.
Three women were shot in a vacant home on the 2900 block of Kossuth around 1:35 a.m. Friday. Two of the women were killed. Police have not yet determined their identity.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department report another woman was killed in what appeared to be a hit and run near Theodosia and Hamilton around 11 p.m. Thursday. She has not been identified by police.
One area resident who asked not to share his full name said he knew some of the victims.
“It’s a tragedy,” he said. The man said more resources are needed in north St. Louis.
Maj. Shawn Dace is the commander of investigative services for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He encourages anyone with information to help solve the violent crimes.
“No matter how big or small the information you may have, whatever you can provide is helpful,” said Dace.
Anyone with information about any of these crimes is urged to call 911 or CrimeStoppers immediately at 866-371-TIPS (8477).