St. Louis County shooting spree puts spotlight on teen gun violence

Jo’Lon Johnson 12, has his candle lit in honor of those lost and survivors of gun violence during a Sunday evening Dec. 10, 2023 service. Seven faiths united for a evening of prayer in their honor. Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American by Sylvester Brown Jr. | The St. Louis American & Last week, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell informed the community of shocking news. His office has charged Clifton Booze Jr., 14, of Hazelwood, with seven felonies in connection to the March 26, 2023, murder of James Bond, also 14 years of age. Berkeley Police had received calls about a wandering group of about 15 juveniles randomly firing gun shots that struck vehicles and residences in the 6800 block of Larry Lane. Responding officers found Bond, shot in the chest, dead in the front yard of a home. Witnesses at the scene, police said, identified Booze as one of the shooters. Two other defendants previously charged in this incident, La’Marrion Matthews and Taivion Kirk, are being held on a $250,000 bond. Booze has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. &...