On-Site Reports and Reactions to the School Shooting at CVPA in St. Louis

By Riverfront Times on Mon, Oct 24, 2022 at 12:14 pm

Three deaths and multiple injuries are being reported after a shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis this morning. Here are some immediate reactions to the incident.

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Monica Obradovic

Riverfront Times reporter Monica Obradovic was on the scene.

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The shooter’s gun jammed and 16-year-old Taniya Gholston made it out from Central Visual Performing Arts school. @stltoday pic.twitter.com/UgYW4S3LFc
— Kim Bell (@kbellpd) October 24, 2022

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On hold with 911 is really fucked up when your daughter texts to tell you there is a school shooter at CVPA @saintlouismayor
— Cristina Garmendia (@howigetmynews) October 24, 2022

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The saddest site I've seen were the parents running down Kingshighway, crying. #CVPA
— Brian (Corgi: Rowen) (@MiniTuxedo) October 24, 2022

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Just last week, a student at CVPA asked us in a candidate forum what we would do to prevent gun violence.

I will let the people they know, trust, and love do it, but I just wish I could hug everyone in that building and tell them I’m so sorry.
— Emily Hubbard for Board of Education (@EmilyforallSLPS) October 24, 2022

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I live very close to the school (it's basically in my backyard)> Heard the first shot around 9:05... then heard dozens after that. Our street was full of panicked parents.

This country is broken.
— SteveCostello | #BlackLivesMatter (@SteveCostello) October 24, 2022

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#BREAKING: St. Louis Metro Police tell @KMOV three victims were shot inside a high school in South St. Louis.

Suspect IN CUSTODY. Police searching the school.

Video sent to me from a viewer.

This is Central VPA High School at Kingshighway and Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/xe4LUZUQfM
— Alexis Zotos (@alexiszotos) October 24, 2022

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🧵1/ I was on the road when I ran into a breaking news situation:

Shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in South City St. Louis. I’m running into kids who were at school & leaving the scene via Arsenal. @stlpublicradio pic.twitter.com/UGfJuzE7WQ
— Holly Edgell (@HollyEdgell) October 24, 2022

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Taniya Lumpkin: “Next thing you know, we just heard gunshots,” Nylah said. First single shots rang out, then multiple, then single again. https://t.co/aGFeJZ4vXf pic.twitter.com/UWaIePPlti
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday) October 24, 2022

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HAPPENING NOW: ST. LOUIS H.S SHOOTING 6 HOSPITALIZED SHOOTER DOWN #BREAKINGNEWS #schoolshooting #crimes #news #activeshooter pic.twitter.com/gKCwmsQBy5
— Presence of Danger (@presofdanger) October 24, 2022

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Families with children at Central VPA High School were rushing to the Schnucks parking lot this morning where students were starting to gather following a shooting at the high school. We know at least 6 people were injured in the shooting, including the suspect in custody. @KMOV pic.twitter.com/maHLJlclom
— Gabriela Vidal (@GabrielaVtv) October 24, 2022

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Frantically texting my brother, a teacher at Collegiate, while scanning Twitter for updates is not how I should have to spend my Monday. #STL #schoolshooting https://t.co/hhYzXZMgAW
— Catherine Gilbert Hamacher (@catherinegilb09) October 24, 2022

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The scene outside of Central VPA is absolutely devastating. Parents driving frantically to find their kids. Students crying in the Arsenal Schnucks parking lot. Teachers trying to process their worst nightmare come to life. There are busses driving students and teachers away now.
— Monica Obradovic (@MonicaObradovic) October 24, 2022

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Our department responded to an active shooting incident this morning at Central VP School. A suspect was taken into custody.

WE ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO PLEASE AVOID THE AREA OF S. KINGSHIGHWAY FROM SOUTHWEST TO ARSENAL UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) October 24, 2022

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"I'm heartbroken for these families," Jones says, her voice breaking. "Our children shouldn't have to experience this."
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday) October 24, 2022

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SLMPD News Conference Have you call Mike here https://t.co/hPifVTozzK
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) October 24, 2022

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I just picked my daughter up from CVPA.
She's a sophomore there. She texted there was an active shooter.
My fiancee woke me and she called 911.
I jumped in my car and drove 100 MPH down the wrong way of Kingshighway.
I made it within a block of the school on Arsenal.
— Michael Bishop (@michael__bishop) October 24, 2022

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I got out and sprinted to the northwest
corner of the building. I tied my shoes. ATF truck pulled up.
I saw a perimeter of police being setup. Kids started scaling fences and coming out of the windows.
A girl fell from a window and hurt her leg.
— Michael Bishop (@michael__bishop) October 24, 2022

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Kids and medics carried her to a stretcher.
The stream of kids coming out stopped.
A few moments passed.
Then organized groups of kids started coming out.
My daughter called me. Sobbing, we tried to describe where each of us where to meet.
— Michael Bishop (@michael__bishop) October 24, 2022

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She made it to the Schnuck's parking lot.
I got to her.
We walked back to the car.
We left.

Fuck Guns. Abolish the 2nd Amendment.
Fund healthcare. Fund mental health.

We are the only country with this problem.
— Michael Bishop (@michael__bishop) October 24, 2022

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