13-Year-Old Killed in Shooting Outside St. Louis School

Gun violence advocate mourns loss of LaJuan Swopes, a 'pretty good kid' with a bright future

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:07am

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A 13-year-old boy named LaJuan Swopes was killed in a shooting outside of Steam Academy at McCluer South in St. Louis, Missouri, following a track and field event. Another teen was also injured in the incident. A 13-year-old suspect has been charged with second-degree murder and other felonies. Lisa LaGrone, a local gun violence advocate who knew Swopes well, said he was a hardworking young man who stayed out of trouble, but that social media may have played a role in the tragic shooting.

Why it matters

Gun violence continues to devastate communities in St. Louis, with young lives being lost at an alarming rate. This incident highlights the urgent need for more youth programs, mental health resources, and community-based solutions to address the root causes of violence and provide positive outlets for at-risk teens.

The details

According to authorities, the shooting occurred outside of Steam Academy at McCluer South on Tuesday evening, following a track and field event. LaJuan Swopes, 13, was killed, and another teen was injured. Both victims attended the nearby Brittany Woods Middle School. A 13-year-old suspect has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and other felonies in connection with the incident.

  • The shooting took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, outside of Steam Academy at McCluer South.
  • The victims were students at Brittany Woods Middle School.

The players

LaJuan Swopes

A 13-year-old boy who was killed in the shooting. He was described as a 'pretty good kid' by a local gun violence advocate who knew him well.

Lisa LaGrone

A gun violence advocate with Safe Streets, Safe Neighborhoods who knew LaJuan Swopes and his family.

13-year-old suspect

A 13-year-old boy who has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and other felonies in connection with the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“'LaJuan was a pretty good kid,'”

— Lisa LaGrone, Gun violence advocate

“'Their father died in 2020; he was murdered also. I think the loss of LaJuan is going to really affect his siblings. His oldest brother is really angry right now, he said he wished that he could have protected him.'”

— Lisa LaGrone, Gun violence advocate

“'I hope that the kids who are looking at this can see that there is no return from this, and I hope our city can heal from this.'”

— Lisa LaGrone, Gun violence advocate

What’s next

The 13-year-old suspect will face a judge in the coming weeks to determine if he will be tried as a juvenile or an adult for the charges related to the shooting.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the devastating impact of gun violence on young lives and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of youth violence in St. Louis, including increased investment in community programs, mental health resources, and conflict resolution strategies.