Mt. Vernon Police say a 16-year-old juvenile girl was killed and a 16-year-old juvenile boy has been arrested in connection with the late Saturday afternoon shooting.
The shooting occurred in the 1800 block of Lamar Street where officers first responded to a 911 call where screaming could be heard, but no information was provided on what was happening. Upon arrival, police found the juvenile girl had been shot and the juvenile male was holding a handgun. Officers were able to take the male into custody and secure the firearm. The 16-year-old girl was transported to a local hospital where she was later declared deceased.
Upon consultation with the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s office the 16-year-old male was detained on preliminary charges of armed violence/discharge of a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm, involuntary manslaughter, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
Mt. Vernon Police say they had arrested the same juvenile male at the end of 2023 for armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest after he had been observed with a gun by a Mt. Vernon Police dispatcher. He was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to run.
The 16-year-old was also on parole at the time of Saturday’s shooting. Prior to his arrest last April he had been arrested by Mt. Vernon Police on separate incidents of armed robbery and aggravated battery.
