ST. LOUIS — As hockey teams competed Sunday afternoon in south St. Louis County, the absence of one family was felt at the Kennedy Recreation Center.
Colin Brown, a 16-year-old hockey player for CBC High School and the Affton Americans, should've been on the ice.
Gary Miller, the president of Seckman Jaguars Ice Hockey Club, said Colin is a great kid.
"(He's) a great player and really our prayers are going out to the family, really hope he recovers well," he said.
Seckman and CBC were scheduled to play Sunday evening, but the game was canceled. At about 10:30 Saturday, St. Louis police said a shooting happened on Interstate 55 near Bates Street.
According to police, the driver said someone shot into his car and a bullet struck his 16-year-old son.
In a letter to sent to families, the principal and president of CBC High School said Colin, a member of the Class of 2026, was the victim of a shooting that occurred when he and his father, Calvin, were traveling home from the Affton Ice Rink following his participation in the CBC varsity hockey game.
Calvin Brown, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with ISP, continued to make his way towards Broadway and Walnut Street in downtown St. Louis to get help from police and paramedics.
Police said a scene was located in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 near Loughborough (Avenue). A department spokesman said police found evidence, but he couldn't provide specifics.
On Monday afternoon, a St. Louis police spokesperson said it appears the teenager was hit by a stray bullet.
Mitch McCoy added, "It appears right now that the shooting happened in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 around Loughborough while the victim and a family member were traveling northbound."
The letter from CBC offered counselors for students and said the school was having a optional prayer service Monday morning.
"We ask for prayers for Colin, his family and for the medical team overseeing his care and recovery," it said.
Late Sunday night, the school released an additional statement:
"When faced with challenges, we, as a Lasallian community, derive our strength from each other. We will rally around and support Colin and his family in this difficult time. Men for Tomorrow. Brothers for Life."
Concerned over the crime is Dr. Marty Casey with the UnGun Institute, an organization focused on reducing violence. She was sad to hear the 16-year-old is critically injured.
"Enough is enough, we continue to hear these unfortunate stories over and over again and it's to the point that we are actually tuning these things out," Casey said. "We can no longer be just innocent bystanders, we have to stand up. We have to stand up, that's the only way we're going to see changes."
Casey works to raise awareness and Miller works to raise funds.
The teen isn't on Miller's team, but he said the hockey community is tight-knit.
While supporting different teams, this moment brings them together as one to rally for a recovery.
"Sports are competitive, you kind of get caught up, especially hockey is very intense, but when something like this happens, it really smacks you into reality, like what's important. So, obviously, I think a lot of parents are going to hug their kids tighter tonight," Miller shared.
The O'Fallon Ice Hockey Club has started a fundraiser for the Brown family.
The hockey club will also be hosing a prayer vigil at the McKendree Recplex parking lot at 7:30 Monday night.
Seckman Jaguars Ice Hockey Club and Fox Warriors Hockey are having fundraisers:
Affton Americans Ice Hockey shared a Facebook post asking for support by displaying a hockey stick outside.
Hundreds of pictures flooded the comment section:
Bar Down Sports Bar is also hosting a fundraiser on Nov. 30.
DAWG Nation is a non-profit organization founded by a group of adult hockey players who came together to support their teammates during challenging times.
Now, it's stepping in for Colin Brown. As of 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dawg Nation said more than $25,000 had been raised.
Affton Hockey and CBC are joining with Dawg Nation for the fundraiser. To donate, click here.
In addition, Affton native and Chicago Blackhawks player Pat Maroon posted a message of encouragement on his Instagram story.
The St. Louis Blues also shared a message:
The Brown family shared this statement on Facebook:
"First, we would like to express our gratitude to the SLMPD and the Illinois State Police, as well as the broader public safety community, for their continued efforts in apprehending the perpetrator(s) of this senseless crime against our beloved son, Colin.
"As a family and as a former law enforcement official with over 28 years of experience, we believe that greater efforts are needed in the City of St. Louis and the surrounding region to support the police and equip them with the necessary tools to combat such senseless, violent gun crimes.
"Additionally, we want to thank the St. Louis and Chicago hockey communities for their overwhelming support during this difficult time. In particular, we appreciate the hockey communities of Affton, Affton Central States, CBC, O'Fallon Ice Hockey Club, the Southern Illinois Ice Hawks, the Central State Developmental Hockey League, Mid States Hockey, and MVCHA.
"Please continue to pray for our son and his medical team. Fight for Brownie #72."
St. Louis police said due to the condition of the 16-year-old, the Homicide Division has assumed the ongoing investigation.
A suspect or suspects remain at large.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous and/or is interested in a possible reward can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).