Investigators are reviewing video and fire evidence from the 5700 block of Floy as the search for answers continues.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A girl was pronounced dead and a woman remained in critical condition after both were found shot inside a house that had burned before dawn Sunday on the city’s north side, police said. The fire was put out and the victims were rushed to a hospital.
The Metropolitan Police Department said homicide detectives are leading the case, which involves both gunfire and a structure fire at the same address. The 9-year-old, identified as Paige Buckner, died at the hospital on Sunday. The adult, a 45-year-old woman, was still listed as critical and unstable Monday. Detectives called in the Bomb and Arson Unit to determine how the blaze began and whether it is tied to the shooting. No arrests or suspect information had been released by Monday afternoon.
Officers were sent at about 12:10 a.m. Sunday to the 5700 block of Floy in Walnut Park West for a report of a house fire. After firefighters extinguished flames and smoke, responders found the two victims inside with gunshot wounds. “Homicide detectives are investigating,” the department said in a written update, noting that the scene required arson specialists. Another department message said, “Detectives are working to find out the cause and circumstances of this incident.” Police did not release the woman’s name and did not say where inside the home the victims were found, citing the open investigation.
Authorities have not discussed a motive, a possible suspect or whether a weapon was recovered from the residence. Investigators typically canvass for doorbell camera footage on nearby blocks and review traffic cameras at major intersections to trace vehicles that came and went around the time of the call. The stretch of Floy sits near single-family brick homes and narrow side streets, where porch cameras and corner stores sometimes produce usable images. Detectives also use fire-scene indicators, such as burn patterns, residue testing and appliance checks, to decide if the fire started naturally, accidentally or by design.
Police said next steps include analyzing shell casings and any recovered rounds, awaiting medical examiner determinations and reviewing lab results from the fire scene. If arson is confirmed, charges could include first-degree murder, first-degree assault and arson, depending on how prosecutors assess evidence. The department had not announced a briefing as of Monday, but routine updates often follow once video is collected and witness statements are verified. Timelines for public releases can shift if investigators believe early disclosures could compromise leads.
On Monday morning, yellow tape remained around the house as evidence technicians moved in and out, taking photographs of the entryway and windows. Neighbors walked past thawing hose lines and scorched trim. The sound of generators and camera shutters carried down the block. The department said more information would be shared when confirmed, and that detectives were still piecing together the sequence of events that left one child dead and an adult gravely injured.
As of Monday evening, police had not reported an arrest, named a suspect or outlined a motive. Additional updates are expected after key tests return later this week.
Author note: Last updated December 22, 2025.