St. Louis, Missouri — A community gathering meant to honor a lost life turned into yet another tragedy Wednesday evening when gunfire erupted during a vigil in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood. What began as a peaceful balloon release for a homicide victim quickly descended into chaos, leaving five people shot and one dead.

The fatal shooting occurred as dozens of mourners stood near the 5800 block of Highland Avenue, remembering a loved one taken by violence. Witnesses say the crowd had just begun releasing balloons into the evening sky when a series of gunshots rang out, sending people running for cover in panic and confusion.

Among the victims was Angelo Davis, 18, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His death, coming amid an event meant to mourn another killing, left residents reeling from a devastating cycle of loss.

Four other men, ages 20, 21, 30, and 31, were also struck by bullets. One victim was shot in the hand, two others were hit in the legs, and one remains hospitalized in critical condition. Police said all four survivors are expected to recover physically, though the emotional scars of that night will linger far longer.

Investigators from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department arrived at the scene within minutes of the shooting, finding shell casings scattered across the pavement and remnants of balloons drifting through the air. Detectives recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the attack but have not yet identified a suspect.

Authorities are now exploring whether the shooting was connected to the earlier homicide being memorialized that evening. Preliminary reports suggest the possibility of a revenge-related motive, but officials caution that the investigation is still in its early stages. Witnesses are being interviewed, and nearby surveillance footage is being reviewed to piece together what led to the deadly gunfire.

Residents described the scene as horrifying and heartbreaking. “People were crying, running, trying to find their loved ones,” said one witness. “It was supposed to be about peace and remembrance, not more death.” The sound of sirens echoed through the neighborhood long after the shooting stopped, a haunting reminder of how quickly grief can turn to terror.

Community leaders and anti-violence advocates have condemned the attack, calling it another painful example of how gun violence continues to plague St. Louis neighborhoods. Several have urged residents to come forward with any information, emphasizing that silence only deepens the suffering of those left behind.

Police are asking anyone with knowledge of the shooting or video footage from the area to contact the homicide division or remain anonymous through CrimeStoppers. Detectives hope that cooperation from witnesses can help identify those responsible and bring closure to grieving families.

As the community mourns yet another young life lost, Hamilton Heights stands as a stark symbol of the toll that repeated violence has taken on St. Louis. For those who gathered that night, the balloons meant to honor one victim became a painful tribute to two — a heartbreaking reminder that peace remains fragile in neighborhoods still searching for hope.