St. Louis Mayor Condemns 'Street Takeovers' and 'Dangerous Juvenile Behavior' After 314 Day Celebrations

Police responded to shootings, street takeovers, and large crowds following the annual 314 Day celebrations in the city.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:08pm

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St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer issued a statement addressing the 'street takeovers and dangerous juvenile behavior' that occurred over the weekend during the city's 314 Day celebrations. Police reported responding to shootings, street takeovers, and large out-of-control crowds, including an incident where a 14-year-old girl was shot. Mayor Spencer said the city supports the officers who responded and plans additional work with the Office of Violence Prevention to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Why it matters

The 314 Day celebrations are an annual event in St. Louis, but this year's festivities were marred by violence and unruly behavior that put public safety at risk. The mayor's statement highlights the city's ongoing challenges with crime and juvenile delinquency, and the need for a coordinated response between law enforcement and community organizations.

The details

According to police reports, the issues began on Locust Street where two men exchanged gunfire. Later, a 14-year-old girl was shot at a gathering near Broadway and Halls Ferry when shots were fired into a crowd. Police also responded to multiple 'street takeovers' at locations around the city, some involving the use of fireworks. Officers used spike strips to stop approximately 50 cars throughout the night.

  • The incidents occurred over the weekend of March 14, 2026 during the city's annual 314 Day celebrations.

The players

Cara Spencer

The mayor of St. Louis who issued a statement condemning the violent and unruly behavior that occurred during the 314 Day celebrations.

St. Louis City Police

The law enforcement agency that responded to the various incidents of shootings, street takeovers, and large crowds during the 314 Day celebrations.

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What they’re saying

“My office and I are aware of the street takeovers and dangerous juvenile behavior that occurred this past weekend. I want to be clear in saying that these actions were unacceptable and put the safety of our City at risk.”

— Cara Spencer, Mayor of St. Louis (riverbender.com)

“We support the efforts of the police officers who responded to these events and will be working with our Office of Violence Prevention to mitigate these activities moving forward.”

— Cara Spencer, Mayor of St. Louis (riverbender.com)

What’s next

The mayor's office plans to work with the city's Office of Violence Prevention to develop strategies to prevent similar incidents of unruly behavior and violence from occurring at future 314 Day celebrations.

The takeaway

The issues that arose during St. Louis' 314 Day celebrations highlight the ongoing challenges the city faces with crime and juvenile delinquency, and the need for a coordinated response between law enforcement and community organizations to ensure public safety at large-scale events.