PINE LAWN, Mo. – Both shootings happened within just three hours of each other — and just a block apart. while police are following up on leads. 

Many neighbors say they’re too afraid to speak out.

The first shooting happened just before 9 p.m. near Bircher and Oakwood In Pine Lawn. A 32-year-old and a 33-year-old were both shot in the arm—but are expected to recover. 

Just before midnight, another shooting just one block over on Ravenwood Avenue. This time, a 23-year-old man was found shot and killed in the street. Detectives haven’t said if the two shootings are connected.

“The fear of retaliation is real. One of the things I like to impress upon on people who have information is just imagine if it was your son, daughter, your brother, your sister, you would want someone to come forward,” said James Clark.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis says part of what’s happening Is a reflection of the population shift out of the city of St. Louis.

To meet the need, Urban League HAS expanded its gun violence de-escalation services outside the city.

“We are now beginning to expand our gun violence deescalation services out into North County and also into the East St. Louis community.  Now we’ve got to have trained men and women who can be out in the neighborhood day looking to find conflicts. And then sit down with adversaries and work to de-escalate the conflict,” said James Clark.

The organization now acts as a mediator in neighborhood conflicts. When violence can’t be stopped, they relocate families. 

This year, they’ve de-escalated over 45 conflicts and relocated 14 families from the St. Louis area.