In a shocking and devastating incident, Colin Brown, a 16-year-old and rising star on the St. Louis high school hockey scene, tragically lost his life after being struck by a stray ball while walking home. at home with his father. The incident happened on Interstate 55 in south St. Louis Saturday evening, while Colin was sitting in the passenger seat of his father’s car. Despite a quick rush to hospital and critical treatment, Colin succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon.
Colin Brown was not only known for his exceptional hockey skills, but also for his compassionate nature. In a heartbreaking twist, even in death, he continued to make a positive impact by donating his organs to save the lives of others in need. Mitch McCoy, the St. Louis Police Department’s director of public affairs, praised Colin’s selflessness, saying his organ donation exemplified the caring young man he was and the values instilled by his family.
Before joining Christian Brothers College High School (CBCHS), one of the most prestigious hockey programs in Missouri, Colin had moved from Illinois just this fall. He had already played seven games for CBCHS and had quickly become a vital member of their varsity hockey team. Described as a talented and dedicated student enrolled in honors classes, Colin was well respected both on and off the ice.
Authorities have launched an intensive investigation into the incident and are reviewing surveillance footage from the area as they search for the suspected shooter. Police believe there may have been a shooting in progress nearby when Colin and his father were traveling in the opposite direction on Interstate 55.
Stunned by this senseless act of violence against an innocent teenager leaving a hockey game, Director McCoy reassured the community that such acts would not be tolerated. He emphasized the Police Department’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors to St. Louis, expressing their determination to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
The tragic loss of Colin Brown resonated beyond his immediate community, with even the coaching staff of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues paying tribute to him. Sporting “72 Strong” pins honoring Colin’s jersey number and leaving a hockey stick outside their locker room, they showed solidarity and support for his grieving family and teammates.
While Colin’s family expressed gratitude for the efforts of law enforcement, they also called for greater support for police in combating violent gun-related crimes like this. Calvin Brown, Colin’s father and a former law enforcement official with more than 28 years of experience, urged St. Louis officials to invest more resources into equipping police with the tools needed to combat such acts senseless.
This sad incident highlights a larger problem affecting St. Louis: the alarming rate of homicides in recent years. Although there was a slight decline in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 106 homicides recorded through August, city officials acknowledge that more needs to be done to tackle this problem persistent. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones expressed her grief over the loss of Colin Brown and emphasized the need for collective mourning and reflection on how to prevent future tragedies.
As St. Louis mourns the loss of an exceptional young talent like Colin Brown, it is a stark reminder that no community is safe from senseless acts of violence. It is imperative that local authorities and residents come together to prioritize public safety and find effective solutions to ensure incidents like these become a memory of the past.
