ST. LOUIS — After multiple shootings involving children in St. Louis within the past week, officials are urging residents to use the city’s free “Lock It for Love” program.
The program offers free gun locks for residents, which are available at St. Louis City’s fire stations, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department stations, St. Louis City and St. Louis County library branches, according to a press release.
“As a mom, I know how important it is that we take every step we can to keep our babies safe,” Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said in the press release.
“These recent shootings have devastated our entire city, and we need to take immediate action to protect our children. If you have a gun in the house, be a responsible gun owner; store firearms locked and unloaded, and pick up a free gun lock to help you and your loved ones safe. My administration is exploring ways to continue connecting parents to these critical resources.”
Free gun locks are available at 30 St. Louis fire stations that are open 24 hours a day. For questions, call 314-533-3406.
St. Louis Public Library branches, including Baden, Julia Davis, Divoll and Cabanne have free gun locks available. St. Louis County Library branches that offer free gun locks are Natural Bridge, Weber Road, Florissant Valley and Lewis & Clark.
SLMPD has 4,500 locks to give to the community through responding officers and community meetings, and locks can be picked up at area stations, the press release states. The department has a YouTube tutorial on how to use a gun lock on a firearm.
The “Lock It for Love” program is in partnership with Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice. A total of 8,000 gun locks have been distributed through the program so far.
On Tuesday night, St. Louis police arrested a 36-year-old woman after a 12-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by his 10-year-old brother.
Officers responded to the 5600 block of Summit Place for a report of a shooting around 7:38 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Lafrance Johnson inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound.
EMS pronounced him dead at the scene, according to police. A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim’s brother was handling the firearm when it accidentally discharged, killing Johnson.
After claiming ownership of the firearm, Aja Johnson was taken into custody and has now been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The Homicide & Child Abuse Unit is handling the ongoing investigation.
Last Friday, two young cousins were fatally shot while livestreaming from a St. Louis apartment. Twelve-year-old Paris Harvey shot 14-year-old Kuaron Harvey, before shooting herself.
Police originally described the incident as a murder-suicide, however, family members said they were playing with a gun, believed to Kuaron’s, that had accidentally discharged.
Before the shooting happened, Paris and Kuaron were alone in a bathroom making an Instagram video in the mirror. After Kuaron was shot, the video showed Paris reaching for the gun that may have accidentally gone off again, according to family members.
There have also been several other reports of children injured by gun violence in the last few weeks, including a 15-year-old shot outside a funeral home.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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