ST. LOUIS – As the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department continues to search for the gunman responsible for critically injuring a high school hockey player over the weekend, the hockey community and beyond are coming together to show their support for 16-year-old Colin Brown.

Police: “Whoever did this, we are going to be coming.”

“We do know there are witnesses to what happened, and we need their eyewitness account to help us piece together what happened,” Mitch McCoy with SLMPD said.

Law enforcement is still searching for the gunman who opened fire around 10:30 p.m. Sunday along southbound Interstate 55 near Loughborough Avenue. 16-year-old Colin Brown was struck by the gunfire while riding home with his dad from his CBC High School hockey game.

Brown’s father continued to drive to the area of S. Fourth and Walnut Streets, where he was met by police and EMS. He was rushed to the hospital and is listed in critical condition.

“This type of senseless violence is reckless, and it will not be tolerated by the men and women of this police department,” McCoy said. “It’s heartbreaking. You think about a child heading home and they did nothing wrong, and that is why our homicide detectives will continue to work until justice is served. Whoever did this, we are going to be coming.”

Detectives have been canvassing the area, knocking on doors, and asking residents to review home security footage. Police believe some cameras may have captured the incident.

Anyone with information surrounding the incident is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and potentially receive a $5,000 reward.

How the hockey community is standing in support of Colin

A movement of “Sticks Out for Brownie” has begun, with community members placing hockey sticks outside their homes, at his home ice at Affton Hockey Club, and at the chapel entrance of CBC High School.

St. Louis’ hockey community is extremely close knit. Perhaps no one knows that better than former St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup hero, Pat Maroon. He and his Chicago Blackhawks teammates sent a recorded message privately to Brown and his family.

“Hopefully he can hear it…We’re just praying he comes out of this and has the opportunity to do what he loves doing, which is being with his friends and playing hockey,” Maroon said.

Fellow students had a prayer service for him and his family Monday. Players with the Chesterfield Hockey Association sent wishes while on the road in Chicago for a game. Retired NHL referee Tim Peel posted a call for prayer on social media.

“I’ve been in St. Louis for 23 years now,” Peel told FOX 2. “I truly believe the hockey community here is the tightest that I’ve ever seen.”

Multiple youth hockey teams and groups are organizing fundraisers and vigils. The Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, a non-profit organization, is giving a three-to-one match for every dollar donated to Colin’s family, up to a $2,500 dollar maximum. 

Colin’s father is a retired Illinois State Police Lt. Colonel. State Police Director Brendan Kelly said, “(Colin’s father) is a great police officer. His family are great people, and we are assisting St. Louis police, working closely with them.” 

Others emphasized the need for tighter gun laws and policing.

“How is it that we’re living in a world now where you can’t take your son or daughter to a sporting event or something like this?” Peel Lamented. “Things need to change–I hope they do. I’m hoping that the Brown family gets through this. It’s just a tragic incident.”

Maroon added, “The City of St. Louis needs to clean up. We’ve got to figure situations out because now a 16-year-old boy is fighting for his life.”

The St. Louis Blues took to social media, “The hearts and minds of the St. Louis Blues organization are with Affton Americans and CBC’s Colin Brown and his family, friends, and teammates. Please keep Colin in your thoughts during this difficult time.”

A spokesman tells FOX 2 the team is working on a way to celebrate Colin and his family, likely before the next home game Saturday night, but doing so in a way that fully respects their privacy.