Alexus Purrty’s family say cops did not respond to calls before stabbing
By Bill Beene Of the St. Louis American
About two weeks ago a North Side girl and boy from the same block celebrated together at a birthday party.
Today (Thursday) is the funeral of that 13-year-old girl, and the 12-year-old boy remains in Juvenile custody. Authorities plan to charge him as an adult for stabbing her to death.
Alexus Purrty, an “A” student at Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts High School and an aspiring model, died July 6 near hear her home in the 3800 block of St. Louis Avenue.
Family members said a previous burglary by the boy led to the killing, when the boy and his friends stopped in front of their house a few days later to brag about the intrusion.
When the boys allegedly started cussing and threatening Purrty’s mother and brother, her mother said she called the police.
The family said they made about six calls to the police, but they never saw one cop appear at their house during the encounter.
“She said, ‘Mama, call the police,” Alexus’ mother, Alicia Kimble, said. “I said, ‘I already called,’ and she said, ‘Call them again.’”
Purrty’s grandmother, who said she also called the police, said Alexus confronted the boys, telling them to leave, but an argument ensued between the girl and one of the suspect’s friends.
While the two argued, the suspect allegedly ran down the street to his home to get a knife, returned and stabbed Alexus as she walked toward her porch.
The family said they didn’t know the young girl had been stabbed until she fell on the ground and blood pooled.
A neighbor and the girl’s mother attempted to drive the ailing girl to the hospital, but said they were stopped for speeding by a St. Louis police officer.
According to the mother, the police officer removed the girl from the car, called paramedics, pumped the girl’s chest and administered CPR.
The police officer also placed the girl’s mother in the squad car and took her to the station for questioning regarding the stabbing, according to Kimble.
Kimble said she was detained at the station from about midnight to 4 a.m., about the time she was told her daughter did not make it.
“If only the police would have came, it probably wouldn’t have turned out this way,” said Marilyn Purtty, the girl’s grandmother.
Kimble said she never would have believed that the boy they took with them to her son’s birthday party would have broke into their home, let alone kill her daughter.
“I don’t want to prosecute the little boy, but I don’t want him to do it to someone else,” Kimble said.
State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, 60th District, said the community has lost two children – one to death and the other to the penal system.
“We need to come together to see how and what it’s going to take to save our children,” said Nasheed, who organized a Save Our Children Prayer Vigil and Community Rally for today (Thursday) near the girl’s home at St. Louis Avenue and Vandeventer Street.
“What’s really disturbing is no one really looked at the life of the little boy who can coldly take a knife and put it in the body of another kid and inflict pain and death,” Nasheed said.
“They should have been somewhere playing.”
Purrty grandmother, who invited the young boy to her grandson’s birthday party on June 14 in Forest Park, said neighborhood children don’t have anything constructive to do.
“When all of the kids were going to the birthday party the boy looked pitiful, so I asked him if he wanted to go and he said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’”
Purrty said that a nearby children’s club is too expensive for most of the area children to frequent.
Third Ward Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr. said there aren’t any free recreation centers within a mile of where the children lived.
While the St. Louis Police Department hadn’t returned communications to the American by press time, Bosley said they have been communicating openly with him as they investigate.
He said they have talked to him about their investigation into the family’s 911 phone calls and the department’s alleged lack of response, the quarrel in front of the home and Bosley’s concerns that the officer allegedly separated the dying girl from her mother en route to the hospital.
Nasheed said she is also looking into policies and procedures applicable to the incident.
A fashion show for which Alexus had been rehearsing will now be held in her honor at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 4 at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel, downtown at 9th and Convention. All proceeds will go to the family.
A fund has been set up for Alexus Purtty. Donations should be sent to: King of Kings Church, 6305 Hancock, Berkeley, Mo. 63134.
Funeral services will be held there today, Thursday, July 12 at 11 a.m., with viewing beginning at 10 a.m., and repass immediately following the funeral.
