Stray bullet hits St. Louis business owner on the eve of his 82nd birthday

ST. LOUIS — For more than 30 years, Buck Ford has operated a towing and auto repair shop near North Vandeventer and Cottage Avenue.

His business is named after him.

Almost everyone in the north side neighborhood knows “Mr. Buck.”

Neighbor Yoland Washington said, “He’s a really nice guy. He fixed my car. He did a really good job. I would recommend him to anyone.”

“He’s a laid-back, private guy. He just comes to work and is here for as long as he wants,” said a friend of Buck’s who requested anonymity.

Mr. Buck was supposed to be at his favorite place on Friday, but a stray bullet hit the beloved proprietor, leaving the wooden fence locked and the store in total darkness.

“First I heard a few gunshots, then 15 to 20 shots,” the friend said.

Ford’s friend told police that just before 8 p.m. Thursday night, two people believed to be teenagers shot each other repeatedly in the 3800 block of Cottage, then fled.

“I saw how fast the young man was running, and he was running like a jackrabbit,” the friend recalled.

He said he was sitting in his car waiting for “Mr. Buck’s” to close for the night when bullets started flying.

“I crouched down in the car because I didn’t want to get hit. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t hurt,” the friend said.

Suddenly, his longtime friend, bleeding, stumbles outside, leans against his car, and tells him he’s been shot.

His friend immediately called 911.

“Oh, I called and the paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. He was inside the store washing his hands when a bullet ricocheted off the rack of his car and hit him in the chest. ” said the man. He almost got caught in the crossfire himself.

Moreover, this popular business executive was shot to death on the eve of his 82nd birthday.

“Yes, he turned 82 today. I spoke to him last night while he was in the hospital. He said he was going to spend his birthday working at the store again. He said he was shot. I can’t believe it,” he said. That man’s friend.

Police do not have much information regarding the shooting at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

What is clear, however, is that those who knew Mr. Buck are extremely relieved that he survived and will be able to celebrate another birthday.

“He was really lucky that the bullet didn’t hit him in the heart, because it was right above his heart,” said a friend of the business owner.

Yolande Washington said: “It’s a shame that this happened to such a nice person. I want to tell you to get well soon. I’ll probably have to do more work for you, so I’m here for you.” I’m praying,” he said. .