A prominent 16-year-old hockey player in St. Louis died from injuries sustained when he was struck by a gunshot while returning home from a game.
Colin Brown was traveling on Interstate 55 with his family after a hockey game Saturday night when he was hit by a stray bullet, according to St. Louis Metropolitan Police. His father called 911 and continued driving until paramedics arrived and took the teen to the hospital.
Brown was in “critical condition” when he got to the hospital. Authorities claimed he died on Wednesday morning.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that 16-year-old Colin Brown has died after being shot by a stray bullet Saturday night on I-55,” Mitch McCoy, director of public affairs and information for St. Louis police, said in a statement.
“Colin’s family has asked that I relay their deep appreciation to law enforcement, the hockey community and those who loved Colin,” according to him. “They are asking for privacy at this time.”
According to his father, Brown was an organ donor who aspired to be a doctor. His father claimed that his organ donation helped save the lives of four patients.
Brown and his family have received overwhelming community support.
The Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation is gathering funds for Brown’s family and will match donations three to one, up to $2,500. As of Friday morning, Vice President and Executive Director Matt Heath reported to The Independent that the fundraiser had raised $100,000.
“Colin battled hard and eventually played his final shift on November 27, 2024,” the foundation stated. “Surrounded by his family, and honored by his teammates, his coaches and so many that loved the Brown family, Colin and his family shared the ultimate gift of hope and life to so many by donating his organs.”
Brown’s high school will have an all-school Mass in his honor on Monday.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share with our Christian Brothers College High School community the news of the tragic loss of our CBC brother, Colin Brown, a member of the Class of 2026 who was the victim of a random shooting this past weekend,” a spokesperson for the high school said in a statement to Fox 2 News.
“As our community grieves together, our prayers, support, and love are with his family and close friends during this most challenging time,” according to a spokeswoman.
Police are treating Brown’s shooting as a homicide. McCoy stated that any community members with knowledge on the shooting should call the St. Louis Police Department.
“I can also confirm that we have received new video – that is being reviewed,” McCoy told reporters. “We’re not sure what that video [is] yet – but it is new and our detectives are working to analyze it.”
He said, “No tip or piece of information is too minor. Every little donation helps us bring the person(s) responsible to justice.”