Teen shot in head outside St. Paul rec center near Central High School, suspect in custody
ST. PAUL, Minn. – St. Paul police say a teenage boy was shot in the head Wednesday outside St. Paul's Jimmy Lee Rec Center, across from Central High School, and a 26-year-old man is in custody.
It happened at about 4:12 p.m. Police say the boy's injury is "life-threatening." They announced late Wednesday night that a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with the shooting on suspicion of first-degree assault, and a handgun was recovered. The suspect is being held in Ramsey County Jail. WCCO-TV does not typically name suspects until they are formally charged.
St. Paul Public Schools say Central High went on lockdown at 4:30 p.m., which was lifted 45 minutes later. All evening activities at the school were canceled. Classes, sports and after-school activities will also be canceled Thursday, Jan. 19. Staff will be on hand "to provide support for students and families," according to district officials, and students will be able to come pick up meals.
WCCO spoke to people familiar with the rec center and community, and they're angry, as well as heartbroken. Former rec center employee Tammie Johnson says she resigned because of increasingly frequent violence.
"I'm angry. I'm pissed off," Johnson said. "Just fights from the Central kids every day, and like I said, I was assaulted by a teenager, threatened."
She says there needs to be better security at the center. But community member Anthony Carter says it has to be more than just that.
"They cut off the football and basketball programs, so the kids have nothing to do after school but get in trouble. So get the programs back in our community for the kids to stay out of trouble, please," Carter said. "Find something positive to do with your life. And parents, step up. Your kids is not your friends."
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter says the city's Emergency Operations Center was activated Wednesday night in response to the shooting.
"Our officers are investigating and do not believe there is a continued threat to public safety related to this incident," Carter wrote in a statement.