UPDATE: St. Louis Police Activate Violent Offense Team Following Recent Shootings

By Chad Garrison Fri., Mar. 18 2011 at 3:19 PM

Categories: The Big Bloody (Homicides)

Updated March 21: St. Louis police de-activated the unit Sunday morning following the arrest of three teenagers believed to be responsible for the murder Thursday of Patrice Thimes. Police say the unit also gathered new leads on several other unsolved homicides.

Original post follows...

Operating on intelligence that a rash of recent shootings may be related, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department today activated its Violent Offense Team.

The 30-person unit will work in 24-hour shifts over the next several days to gather intelligence that can lead to arrests and charges against suspected offenders.

Police believe that multiple homicides over the last two weeks may be related, perhaps tied to the same suspects involved in an ongoing dispute.

Last night one person was killed in three separate shootings. The night before, six people were shot in four separate incidents.

Police urge anyone with information about any crime to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS. Calls are anonymous, and CrimeStoppers does not subscribe to caller ID. Callers who provide information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.