Community Activists Call for Action After Woman Shot Outside North St. Louis Gas Station

Community activists are calling for increased safety measures following a shooting incident outside a gas station in north St. Louis. On Friday afternoon, the area appeared calm, but the previous night saw police presence, crime scene tape, and evidence markers after a 47-year-old woman was shot in the head while seated in her vehicle at the gas station near Natural Bridge and Goodfellow Boulevard. Paramedics transported her to the hospital with critical injuries. Local residents and activists, including Precious Jones, have historically linked this location to ongoing criminal activity, with some referring to it as a former hotspot for violence. Despite calls from city officials and residents for the station's closure due to persistent issues such as drug trafficking and violence, opinions are divided. Some community members suggest increased police patrols as a solution, emphasizing that security personnel alone are insufficient. Authorities have reported numerous emergency calls to the area this year, including disturbances and shootings, but no arrests have been made yet. The police department has not issued further comments regarding the incident.