Colin Brown

A 16-year-old high school hockey player died in the hospital Wednesday after he was struck by a stray bullet over the weekend while riding in his father’s car on Interstate 55 in south St. Louis, police said. Colin Brown, a Christian Brothers College High School junior, was shot Saturday night near the intersection of I-55 and Loughborough Avenue while on his way home from a hockey game in Affton. Police announced his death on Wednesday afternoon at a news conference. It brought a barrage of public heartbreak. CBC High officials informed their community of Colin’s death with “heavy hearts” and “deep sadness.” The St. Louis Blues said they would celebrate Colin’s life with a pre-game moment of silence on Saturday, and donate raffle proceeds to his family. Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe said on social media he was devastated, and called for accountability for the shooter. And the office of Mayor Tishaura O. Jones released a statement calling the shooting senseless and reckless. “We were all praying for a miracle and are now overwhelmed with grief, sadness, and anger that this innocent teenager’s life has been taken,” Jones said. “We will never have true justice for the loss of Colin’s life,” she continued. Jones said police were still investigating, and promised to hold the shooter accountable “to the fullest extent of the law.” Ryan Trenz, varsity hockey coach at CBC, said he and Colin’s coaches and teammates were heartbroken. “He was an outstanding kid from an outstanding family,” said Trenz, who knew Colin and his family for about four years through the St. Louis Eagles and CBC hockey programs. “It’s senseless...you can’t wrap your mind around it.” Police said the family declined comment, asking for privacy. Police have called the shooting random, saying the gun was fired from the southbound lanes, but Colin and his dad were driving north. Department spokesman Mitch McCoy said it was a “rare” situation of somebody being struck by a stray bullet in the city. McCoy said Wednesday the department had received numerous tips related to the shooting and had new video evidence. “We cannot stress how important it is for residents living in the area of I-55 and Loughborough to review their home security cameras — which may have captured the shooting,” he said. Colin donated his organs to other patients in need, McCoy said, showing “the type of young man Colin was and the kind of family he grew up in.” “Their steadfast commitment to serve those around them should inspire us all,” he said. Trenz, the hockey coach, on Wednesday described what Colin was like as a teen. Though quiet at first, Trenz said, Colin opened up when he was on the rink and in the locker room with his friends, joking around to make people feel included — and then getting right back to work. Trenz recalled one of his first memories with Colin, during a team workout with The St. Louis Eagles hockey club. Colin and a teammate finished the usual routine. Then they lifted weights on the bench press. “They pushed each other, and it was a precursor of who Colin is,” he said. “You knew you were going to get 110% effort from him every time. Colin was the type of player and teammate every coach wanted on this team.” Blake Ryan, assistant coach for CBC, recalled Colin scoring the winning goal in a national tournament game with the Eagles and turning around with a big smile on his face. Another game, Colin took a hit from a player on the opposing team. “For us coaches, it looked painful,” Ryan said Wednesday. “But Colin just popped up with a smile on his face and said he was ready to go.” Ryan, a new father, said Colin was “everyone you would want your son to be.” “He’s the first guy to pat you when you’re down and the first to celebrate you when you’re up,” he said. “He was a natural leader and always quick to do the right thing.” Though he had only transferred to CBC this year, Colin had made an impact both on and off the rink, Trenz said. At a voluntary prayer service the first school day after Colin was shot, the room was packed. “He embodied everything that we stand for and we’re proud to have Colin and call him a brother for life,” Trenz said. The team gathered privately late Wednesday afternoon to remember Colin and “be there for each other as much we can,” Trenz said.