Patrice Thimes, gunned down Thursday night as she drove her SUV through the intersection of Page and Euclid, was an innocent bystander

Patrice Thimes, gunned down Thursday night as she drove her SUV through the intersection of Page and Euclid, was an innocent bystander caught in a crossfire between elements of the same street gang. Even though St. Louis Police officially have not called the murder of the 39 year old mother of two gang-related, sources say it was just that. And city Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce is indirectly criticizing the police policy of refusing to talk about specific gangs for fear the publicity might somehow glamorize the gangbangers.

"Whether you call them gangs or sets or the PTA, these are young men who are heavily armed and are shooting down each other along with innocent victims," said Joyce. "We're never going to make any progress against gangs unless we're willing to talk about the issue transparently. If we're worried about giving gangs publicity, that train has left the station. We need to have an honest public conversation about the problem."

Three teenagers have been charged with murder and armed criminal action in Thime's death. Sources say all three, 18 year old Ronnie Mottley, 18 year old Sheltkeem Brown, and 19 year old Bernard Dorris are affiliated with the North Market Crips, a gang whose home base is in the area where St. Louis, Wellston, and Hillsdale meet.

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