Friends, family and hockey clubs from throughout St. Louis and the metro-east are coming out in support of an O’Fallon teenager who was critically injured in a shooting Saturday night.
Colin Brown, 16, was hit by a bullet after a hockey game while riding in a vehicle driven by his father, Calvin Brown, on Interstate 55 in South St. Louis, according to police. He’s now hospitalized.
Colin is a student and varsity hockey player at Christian Brothers College High School in Town and Country, Missouri. He also plays with the Affton Americans hockey club in Affton, Missouri.
Colin formerly was a junior varsity player with O’Fallon Ice Hockey Club, which is based at the McKendree MetroRecPlex, according to Lynae Vahle, whose two sons have played with him.
“I can’t even imagine what (his family is) going through,” she said Monday. “It’s sickening. Even myself, I’m having a really hard time with it. In the hockey world, we’re family.
We spend so much time traveling with each other and taking care of each other’s kids that we become family. This is very hard.”
Vahle helped organize a public prayer vigil for Colin on Monday, Nov. 25, in the northeast parking lot of the MetroRecPlex, 205 Rec Plex Drive in O’Fallon.
Between 150 and 175 teammates, opposing players, friends and strangers stood in the cold wind, often in silence and sometimes amid chants of “we pray for you 72,” a reference to the number Brown wears on his hockey sweater.
Players representing at least three teams were present, many carrying hockey sticks marked on the blade with Brown’s number.
O’Fallon Ice Hockey Club head coach, Scott Loehring attempted to address those gathered during the vigil, but struggled to get out the words. Earlier on Monday, he sent a message to the BND.
“He continues to fight,” Loehring wrote. “We are all doing the best we can ... under the circumstances. We’re trying to get through this together and assist the Brown family in any way possible.”
Loehring noted that Colin’s younger brother, Liam, still plays with the club, so players and staff are looking out for him.
Monday afternoon, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department briefed the media on the case. Spokesman Mitch McCoy said Brown remains in critical condition, and the investigation is being conducted by homicide detectives.
“Whoever did this, we are coming for you,” McCoy pledged. “Expect us to be knocking on your door.”
A stray bullet struck Colin as his family’s vehicle was traveling southbound on Interstate 55 in the area of Loughborough Avenue in South St. Louis, according to McCoy.
The driver, Calvin Brown, who retired from Illinois State Police as a lieutenant colonel, notified law enforcement, which met him at the intersection of Fourth and Walnut in downtown St. Louis, McCoy said. From there, EMS rushed his teenage son to the hospital.
Police closed Interstate 55 on Saturday and Sunday nights and recovered evidence of a shooting both times, McCoy said.
Residents near the Loughborough Avenue interchange are being asked to check their home-security cameras and doorbell cameras and contact police if they see anything that could be related. Investigators also want to speak with commuters in the area between 10:30 and 10:40 p.m. Saturday.
“No amount of information is too small,” McCoy said.
The Brown family released a statement Sunday night on Facebook, thanking St. Louis police and Illinois State Police for their efforts to find the person or people responsible for “this senseless crime against our beloved son.”
“As a family and as a former law enforcement official with over 28 years of experience, we believe that greater efforts are needed in the City of St. Louis and the surrounding region to support the police and equip them with the necessary tools to combat such senseless, violent gun crimes,” the statement read.
The Browns also thanked St. Louis, O’Fallon and Chicago hockey communities for their “overwhelming support.” Several had posted on social media. Others honored Colin at games over the weekend.
“Please continue to pray for our son and his medical team. Fight for Brownie #72,” the statement read, referring to Colin’s jersey number.
St. Louis media reported that Christian Brothers College High School sent a letter to families of students, asking for prayers and support, and its hockey team posted about a prayer vigil being held at the school.
Hockey families throughout the region have placed hockey sticks on their front porches in support of Colin.
“It’s a very good private school, and he’s academically talented, and (his parents) wanted to give him the best opportunity,” she said. “He wants to continue his hockey career after high school.”
O’Fallon Ice Hockey Club has started a Givebutter fundraiser for Calvin and Tracey Brown and their children. People can donate at https://givebutter.com/TUQgKc.
Anyone with more information on Saturday night’s shooting is being asked to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Division at 314-444-5371.
