ST. LOUIS — Heartbreak has struck the Walnut Park West neighborhood after 46-year-old Cory Exum was shot and killed Thursday night, August 28, in a devastating act of gun violence that has left family, friends, and the wider community in mourning.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting happened around 8:40 p.m. on the 5000 block of Goodfellow Boulevard, a residential stretch of Walnut Park West. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found Exum near a building, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Life Cut Short
Loved ones describe Cory Exum as more than just a victim of violence — he was a father, a friend, and a familiar face in the community. While official details about his personal life have yet to be fully shared, those who knew him are already expressing deep sorrow, remembering him as someone whose life ended far too soon.
“He didn’t deserve this,” one neighbor said. “Cory was quiet, respectful, and just living his life. Now his family has to face a pain no one should ever go through.”
Investigation Still Ongoing
At this time, police have not identified a suspect or released information about a possible motive. Detectives with the department’s Homicide Division are actively investigating, canvassing the area, and reviewing available surveillance footage. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help provide answers and justice for Exum’s family.
A Community in Grief
Walnut Park West, like many neighborhoods in St. Louis, continues to grapple with the toll of gun violence. Thursday night’s shooting adds to the growing concerns residents have voiced about safety in the area. Community advocates say tragedies like this highlight the urgent need for intervention programs, youth outreach, and greater community-police partnerships.
“This is another family torn apart by gun violence,” one local activist said. “We can’t just become numb to these headlines. Cory was a person, a human being with loved ones who are now left with unimaginable grief.”
Call for Justice
The St. Louis police have asked that anyone with tips contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS. Calls can remain anonymous, and any information could prove vital in bringing those responsible to justice.
Remembering Cory Exum
As friends and family come together to honor Cory’s memory, vigils and memorials are expected in the coming days. For those closest to him, the pain of his sudden loss is still raw, but they are determined to keep his memory alive — not as just another statistic, but as a man who was loved, valued, and who mattered deeply to those around him.
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