In a shocking and devastating incident, 16-year-old Colin Brown, a rising star in the St. Louis high school hockey scene, tragically lost his life after being struck by a stray bullet while driving home with his father. The incident occurred on Interstate 55 in South St. Louis on Saturday night, as Colin sat in the passenger seat of his father’s car. Despite being rushed to the hospital and receiving critical care, Colin succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon.
Colin Brown was not only known for his exceptional hockey skills but also for his compassionate nature. In a heartbreaking twist, even in death, he continued to make a positive impact by donating his organs to save the lives of others in need. Mitch McCoy, the Director of Public Affairs at the St. Louis Metro Police Department, commended Colin’s selflessness, stating that his organ donation exemplified the kind-hearted young man he was and the values instilled in him by his family.
Before joining Christian Brothers College High School (CBCHS), one of Missouri’s most prestigious hockey programs, Colin had transferred from Illinois just this fall. He had already played seven games for CBCHS and had quickly become an integral part of their varsity hockey team. Described as a talented and dedicated student enrolled in Honors courses, Colin was highly regarded both on and off the ice.
The authorities have launched an intensive investigation into the incident and are reviewing surveillance footage from the area as they search for the suspected shooter. The police believe that there may have been a rolling gunfight taking place nearby when Colin and his father were driving in the opposite direction on Interstate 55.
Stunned by this senseless act of violence against an innocent teenager leaving a hockey game, Director McCoy reassured the community that such acts would not be tolerated. He emphasized the commitment of the police department to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors in St. Louis, expressing their determination to hold the responsible individuals accountable.
The tragic loss of Colin Brown has reverberated beyond his immediate community, with even the NHL’s St. Louis Blues coaching staff paying tribute to him. Wearing “72 Strong” pins in honor of Colin’s uniform number and leaving a hockey stick outside their locker room, they demonstrated solidarity and support for his grieving family and teammates.
While Colin’s family expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s efforts, they also called for greater support for the police in addressing violent gun crimes like this one. Calvin Brown, Colin’s father and a former law enforcement official with over 28 years of experience, urged St. Louis officials to invest more resources into equipping the police with necessary tools to combat such senseless acts.
This heartbreaking incident highlights a wider issue plaguing St. Louis—the alarming rate of homicides in recent years. Although there has been a slight decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 106 homicides recorded through August, city officials acknowledge that more needs to be done to address this ongoing problem. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones expressed her grief over the loss of Colin Brown and emphasized the need for collective mourning and reflection on how to prevent further tragedies from occurring.
As St. Louis mourns the loss of an exceptional young talent like Colin Brown, it serves as a stark reminder that no community is immune from senseless acts of violence. It is imperative that both local authorities and residents come together to prioritize public safety and find effective solutions to ensure incidents like these become a thing of the past.