Two killed, others injured in early morning shooting in Charleston

CHARLESTON — Two people were shot and killed and many others injured at a party in Charleston early Saturday morning.

According to Charleston Department of Public Safety Director Robert Hearnes, at 1 a.m. Saturday officers received reports of gunshots being fired at a party in the 100 block of S. Franklin Street.

A party was being held at the location, an open cinder block structure that used to be an auto mechanic shop. According to Hearnes, there may have been as many 100 people inside the building.

Then about 1 a.m., there was a confrontation inside the building and a person or persons began shooting, causing a stampede of people trying to get out of the building to safety.

Hearnes said so far they have identified 16 people that were shot with two being killed and four remaining in serious or critical condition.

“We are still actively searching for people who attended the party, or anyone with information about this incident,” Hearnes said in a release.

The two people who were shot and killed were pronounced dead at the scene by Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker. Autopsies are scheduled for Monday afternoon at Farmington, Missouri, Parker said.

Anyone who was at the party, or has information concerning the incident, is urged to contact Charleston DPS at 573-683-3737.