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Girl shot on playground in St. Louis dies, man charged with murder

(via Flickr/davidsonscott15)

Updated at 3:19 p.m. June 8 to add information about murder charge

Previously we told you about a shooting just southwest of downtown St. Louis that left a seven-year-old girl in critical condition.

Sadly, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting has taken a fatal turn.

The police department said in a release that "the 7-year old victim, Jnylah Douglas of the 6900 block of Michigan, died on Tuesday evening as a result of injuries she suffered after being shot on May 22, 2011." 

This incident has been reclassified as a homicide, the police department added.

With that reclassification, Elvis C. Smith, 48, the man originally charged in the shooting, is now also charged with first-degree murder, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Smith's other charges related to the incident include:

  • First degree assault
  • Two counts of armed criminal action
  • Unlawful possession of a firearm