Police ID 12-Year-Old Boy Shot, Killed Tuesday
Demetri Phillips was a sixth grader at Brittany Woods Middle School.
Photos
2:30 p.m. Update:
The School District of University city released the following statement about Demetri's personality.
"Demetri had a really good sense of humor. He was creative and came up with stories full of adventure. He liked football. He had good manners and good class participation."
Our original story:
University City Police have identified the 12-year-old boy shot and killed Tuesday in University City as Demetri Phillips.
See our previous story: Reports: 12 Year Old Shot, Killed Tuesday in U City
Demetri was shot Tuesday evening by a 12-year-old friend at the home of the friend's grandfather, University City Police Deterctive Sgt. Fredrick Lemons II told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
According to a press release, Demetri suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to Children's Hospital, where he later expired in the emergency room. The weapon was recovered at the scene.
Shantana Stewart, interim director of communications for the School District of University City, told Patch Demetri was a sixth grader at Brittany Woods Middle School.
Stewart said the district sent a team of counselors to the school this morning to talk with students and staff.
"We will also send a parent letter home tonight and continue to work to help the Brittany Woods community through this," she said.
Police were called to a home in the 1500 block of Westmont Place around 6 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a 12-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.
Demetri was taken to Children's Hospital where he later died.
The gun belonged to the grandfather of a classmate of the victim. The children were playing at the grandfather's home.
Sgt. Lemons told the Post that the grandfather kept the handgun under a pillow in his bedroom. The gun had no trigger lock on it, and the door to the bedroom was unlocked.
Quoting from the Post story:
Police are investigating whether to seek charges against the grandfather for improperly storing the gun. Lemons said the gun was legally owned by the grandfather, who didn't try to hide its location from the grandson who lived with him.
"I don't think it was a secret," Lemons said.
The other child was taken to Family Court as the investigation continues.
In This article
-
University City Police Department
6801 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO -
-
School District of University City
8136 Groby Rd, University City, MO -
Brittany Woods Middle School
8125 Groby Rd, Saint Louis, MO
bobette luckett
12:45 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
This family is in my prayers.
Alexander Babich
3:46 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
When will we have a meaningful dialogue about gun control and gun safety? Shame on you NRA. Your obstructionist stance reminds me of the Tobacco Industry in the 70s and 80s. Cigarettes don't kill people...Your policies will come back to bite you too.
Maria Sparks
8:07 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
I wish I could "like" this comment, but instead I will say that this is the first truly intelligent comment regarding this specific situation I have read all day.
My daughter was a friend of these boys and she's hurt, sad and unsure of how to feel. The fact that I had to have so many different conversations with her today breaks my heart, but nothing compared to how these families must be feeling today.
kylaa
6:56 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
This is really sad and my heart and prayers go out to the family members. We as people need to pay more attention to our future the children. it takes a whole village to raise a child.
shay
8:06 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
My heart goes out to this family. My brother was his classmate and its so sad that things like this happen. What can we do as parents to control such things. Maybe being more attentive and reaponsible. We know kids that age are curious and will explore even the wrong things. Its so unfortunate things end as bad as they do. This little boy is gone and the other kid will suffer with guilt and will need counseling for sure. We all need to pay closer attention to life. So precious yet you never know. Then is it that bad that you need to sleep with a gun under the pillow? Whats really going on. What happen to prayer and trusting Gods protection? Its mind boggling.
Maria Sparks
8:10 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
My daughter was a classmate of both boys as well and very sad by the whole situation. My hope is that we as parents and adults can teach our children how precious life is and that guns ARE NOT toys. There is no do over button in life!
sherry
1:56 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012
Many years ago parents told their children guns are for adults not for kids never touch. I feel so much sorrow for the people that will live each day . To remember this smh day:(
Tracie
8:56 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012
My daughter, as well as Maria, were too classmates with both boys. She is still in disbelief of the situation..
pizedoff
5:31 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
My prayers go out to the family for the loss of their loved one. How many more sons and daughters will we have to continue to lose before the violent gun crimes stop? Just ban the rights to carry a gun and stop the killings!!!! Please Please Please. Our future depends on it.
arthur foster
9:43 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
i hate that happened lets be safe keep gun locked locked away real locked away real good and be safe
gilou
3:09 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
no one blames the grandfather who did not lock in a safe his guns. guns are not the problem. People irresponsible like this man are the problem.
Sierra tyler
10:17 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
He was my cousin. We went to Brittany Woods. He was like my best friend. i never thought he would end up this way. He had such a good sense of humor. Me and my friends are all still crying. Im praying for.my.cousin to rip. Demetri i miss you so much. I will always love you. We could have went to the dance with our dates but it didnt happen. I will always love you so much cousin