A 9-year-old girl and her mother died after firefighters found them shot inside a burning home early Dec. 21 in north St. Louis, police said. The blaze broke out on the 5700 block of Floy Avenue in the Walnut Park West neighborhood shortly after midnight, drawing firefighters who extinguished the flames and alerted homicide detectives.
Authorities identified the child as Paige Buckner, 9, who died at a hospital later that Sunday, and her mother as Latasha Brown, 45, who died the following day. Police say early findings indicate both were shot before the house was set on fire, a combination that has intensified the homicide inquiry and pulled in arson specialists. The case has rattled a neighborhood that has seen repeated gun violence this year and put pressure on detectives to track a suspect who, as of this week, remains at large.
Fire crews were called around 12:10 a.m. Dec. 21, according to police. After knocking down flames inside the single-family residence, they located a woman and a child with gunshot wounds and requested medics and homicide detectives. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Bomb and Arson Unit joined the scene to examine burn patterns, fuel sources and possible ignition points. Mayor Cara Spencer expressed condolences and urged cooperation with investigators, saying, “My heart is with the families and loved ones … as we grieve the loss of a mother and her young child,” and added that detectives were “working around the clock” to hold those responsible accountable.
Detectives said the initial timeline suggests the shooting happened inside the residence and that a fire was started afterward. Crime scene technicians collected shell casings and took measurements inside the charred interior as investigators canvassed the block for surveillance footage and witnesses. Police released the victims’ names after notifying family members, noting that both victims were listed in critical condition immediately after the fire and later died at area hospitals. No arrests have been announced, and police have not identified a suspect or motive. The department said additional updates would be released as evidence is processed and interviews continue.
Walnut Park West, a predominantly residential area in north St. Louis, has struggled with homicides and arsons tied to other crimes in recent years, according to city records. The 5700 block of Floy sits amid tightly clustered brick homes where neighbors have organized informal patrols and church-based outreach after prior shootings. The deaths of Buckner and Brown unfolded days before Christmas, compounding grief for relatives who said the family had been preparing holiday plans. City officials said the department’s victim services team has been in contact with next of kin to assist with notifications and arrangements.
Police said the inquiry will include forensic reviews of ballistics, accelerant testing and a reconstruction of events inside the home, alongside a door-to-door canvass for video from private security cameras. Autopsies are expected to refine the timeline and confirm causes of death. Detectives also requested tips from anyone who was in the area around the time of the fire. The homicide division can be reached at 314-444-5371; anonymous tips may be submitted through CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477. Officials said any credible information that advances the case will be evaluated for release at a departmental briefing.
Neighbors described a chaotic overnight scene as fire engines and police cruisers converged on the block, their lights reflecting off wet pavement. By daybreak, yellow tape cordoned off the front yard while technicians photographed soot-stained walls and bagged debris. Family members embraced near the curb as pastors offered prayers. “It’s heartbreaking, especially right before the holidays,” said James Clark of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, who urged continued support for the family as the investigation unfolds. A small memorial of candles and stuffed animals started forming beside the sidewalk before crews cleared the immediate hazard zone.
As of Wednesday, Dec. 31, police say no one is in custody and the search for a suspect continues. Detectives are awaiting lab results and additional witness statements while the department prepares its next update after the New Year.
Author note: Last updated December 31, 2025.