Education

Photos: School shooting at Central Visual Performing Arts High School in St. Louis

St. Louis Public Radio | By Brian Munoz

Published November 6, 2022 at 7:45 PM CST

Quiana Pendleton, 38, holds the hand of her daughter Kenya Bell, 15, during a moment of silence on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at a "Family Undivided" community event honoring two killed during a shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

Two people were killed — teacher Jean Kuczka and 15-year-old Alexzandria Bell— as well as seven others injured in a shooting at Central Visual Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

“This is a heartbreaking day for all of us,” interim St. Louis Police Chief Michael Sack told the media on Oct. 24. “While on paper there are nine victims, everyone who survived here is going to take home trauma.”

In response, parents, teachers, students and elected officials gathered for a candlelight vigil the evening of the shooting in Tower Grove Park to call for an end to school gun violence.

Dylan Fritz, a senior at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, which shares a campus with the performing arts school, said the shooting left him numb.

“This morning I hid in a corner terrified listening to screams down the hallway. This morning I had to run past a body in the hallway with my hands up,” Fritz said. “I’m a student, I wanted to go to school today and learn, I was there to learn, I was not there to hide in a corner. Guns do not belong in schools.”

Another vigil was held on the evening of Oct. 26 at the school where hundreds gathered to pay their respects and share memories of the victims.

Jordan Williams is a former member of the St. Louis Dazzling Diamonds, and used to perform with Bell. "Alex was like a little sister to me," she said. "Alex was just the life of the party. [...] For her to be the one, to be in the building — it broke me."

Hundreds of people gathered at the Cathedral Basilica on Oct. 31 to honor Kuczka, calling the health and physical education teacher "selfless."

"Mom believed every child as a unique human being and deserves a chance to learn," said her son Stephen Kuczka Jr., while flanked by his four siblings. "The world is truly a better place because of Jean. She touched each and every one of us and she has left us with memories we will cherish forever."

Bell’s family laid her to rest at Friedens Cemetery on Nov. 5, after a funeral service at Faith Church in Earth City. Her former classmates honored her the next day during a student-led march and community gathering.

Organizers said was put together, in part, to help begin the healing process. "We not sad. We not crying. We happy. We smiling. We smiling for Alex," said senior Veronica Russell. "We smiling for our school today. We not crying no more."

More photos are below in order by date:

Police tape and squad cars block off Central Visual and Performing Arts HS, where a gunman killed at least two people, on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis. — Police tape and squad cars block off Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, where a gunman attacked on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis.

An officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department gestures to Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, where a gunman killed at least two on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis. — An officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department gestures toward Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis.

Central VPA High School student Isabella Alamo, 16, in a tight embrace with her mother as people gather outside the school in south St. Louis on Monday following a shooting. — Isabella Alamo, a 16-year-old student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, tightly embraces her mother on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, as people gather outside the school in south St. Louis following a shooting.

A side door with broken glass on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts HS in south St. Louis. — A side door with a shot-out pane of glass on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

A broken window where gunfire was exchanged at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, in south St. Louis.

Mayor Tishaura Jones addresses the media regarding a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. — Mayor Tishaura Jones pauses while addressing the media regarding a school shooting on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

Carlonda Williams, of Shaw, ties a bow onto a Central Visual and Performing Arts High School sign on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis. “I don’t want police tape to be the last yellow thing some people to see here,” she said, adding she was speechless at the news of the shooting.

The Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis. — Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis.

Flowers and balloons sit outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts HS, where a gunman killed at least two people, on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis. — Flowers and balloons sit outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, where a gunman killed two people and injured seven, on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in south St. Louis.

Atlee Winningham, 42, places their hand on Jessica Winningham, 38, both of Tower Grove East, on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park. A gunman attacked Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis on Monday morning, killing two and injuring seven.

Mayor Tishaura Jones speaks to dozens of community members on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park. The vigil was in response to a gunman attacking Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis on Monday morning, killing two and injuring seven. — Mayor Tishaura Jones speaks to dozens of community members on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park in response to a gunman attacking Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

Eli Carty, a 15-year-old student at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience which shares a campus with Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, holds a candle on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park. A gunman attacked Carty’s high school in south St. Louis on Monday morning. "I just heard sirens and we were in the corner,” she said. “I didn’t know where my friends where and I was just scared.”

U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01) speaks to dozens of community members and media on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park in response to a school shooting Central Visual and Performing Arts High School earlier in the day. — U.S. Rep. Cori Bush speaks to dozens of community members and media on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park in response to a school shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School earlier in the day.

Cameron Jamarr, 31, and Brad Rolen, 31, both of south St. Louis, hold space on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park after a gunman attacked Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Monday morning, killing two and injuring seven. “We live right down the street so it was a shock,” Rolen said. “We both work in education and it hit way too close to home. Rarely are we speechless, but this was one of those times.” — Cameron Jamarr, 31, and Brad Rolen, 31, both of south St. Louis, hold space on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil at Tower Grove Park after a gunman attacked Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Monday morning. “We live right down the street so it was a shock,” Rolen said. “We both work in education, and it hit way too close to home. Rarely are we speechless, but this was one of those times.”

Marie Crane, 24, of Tower Grove South, holds a candle on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during moment of silence at a vigil held at Tower Grove Park in response to a gunman attacking Central Visual and Performing Arts High School earlier in the day, killing two and injuring seven. — Marie Crane, 24, of Tower Grove South, holds a candle on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a moment of silence at a vigil held at Tower Grove Park in response to a gunman attacking Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.

Alex Malone, 11, and Eva Malone, 13, both of Tower Grove South, attend a vigil on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in response to a school shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis earlier in the day. — Alex Malone, 11, and Eva Malone, 13, both of Tower Grove South, attend a vigil on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in response to a school shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.

Dozens of community members gather on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil for Central Visual and Performing Arts High School at Tower Grove Park. A gunman attacked the school in south St. Louis on Monday morning, killing two and injuring seven. — Dozens of community members gather on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, during a vigil for Central Visual and Performing Arts High School at Tower Grove Park.

A photograph of Alexandria Bell, a 16-year-old student whose family identified as one of the two casualties related to a Monday school shooting according to media reports, sits on a makeshift memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, outside of the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. — A photograph of Alexzandria Bell, a 16-year-old student whose family identified as one of the two people killed in a Monday school shooting, according to media reports, sits on a makeshift memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, outside the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

A note sits on a makeshift memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, outside of the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. A gunman attacked the school, killing two and injuring seven, on Monday morning. — A note sits on a makeshift memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

A car passes by the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, where a gunman attacked the school killing two and injuring seven, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, in south St. Louis. — A car passes by Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, in south St. Louis.

Dr. Kelvin Adams, St. Louis Public Schools superintendent, pauses while addressing the media after a school shooting that left two dead on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at St. Louis Public School’s headquarters in downtown St. Louis. — St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams pauses while addressing the media on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at St. Louis Public Schools headquarters downtown.

Matt Davis, St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education President, addresses a question on a school shooting that left two dead on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at St. Louis Public School’s headquarters in downtown St. Louis. — Matt Davis, St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education president, addresses a question on a school shooting that left two dead on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at St. Louis Public School’s headquarters in downtown.

DeAndre Davis, Director of Safety and Security at St. Louis Public Schools, reacts while Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams addresses the media regarding a school shooting that left two dead on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at the district’s headquarters in downtown St. Louis. — DeAndre Davis, director of safety and security at St. Louis Public Schools, reacts while Superintendent Kelvin Adams addresses the media regarding a school shooting that left two dead on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at the district’s headquarters.

Capt. Misty Dobynes, Commander of Administration at St. Louis Public School's Safety and Security Department, holds hands with Dr. Kacy Seals Shahid, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School principal, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, during a media briefing at the district headquarters after two were killed at a school shooting at Central VPA earlier in the week. — Capt. Misty Dobynes, commander of administration in St. Louis Public Schools' Safety and Security Department, holds hands with Kacy Seals Shahid, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School principal, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, during a media briefing at the district headquarters after two were killed at the high school earlier in the week.

Mary DiRie, 67, of Overland, lays down a bouquet of flowers on a makeshift memorial after two were killed in a school shooting earlier in the week on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. “I’m devastated this happened in St. Louis,” she said. “We need to get these guns off of the streets.” — Mary Dirie, 67, of Overland, puts a bouquet of flowers on a makeshift memorial after two were killed in a school shooting earlier in the week on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. “I’m devastated this happened in St. Louis,” she said. “We need to get these guns off of the streets.”

A cleaning service worker sweeps up shards of glass where a door was shot out during a school shooting earlier in the week on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

An interior door which had its window broken out during a school shooting on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. — An interior door that had its window broken out during a school shooting on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

Bishop Lee Scott of Lively Stone Church of God leads a prayer in front of Central VPA High School — Bishop Lee Scott of Lively Stone Church of God leads a prayer on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, after a school shooting that left two dead at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. “This gathering is a start of a movement,” he said. “We want people to know we are working to make a better community. As clergy — people of faith — we don’t move without God.”

Rev. Dinah Tatman, CEO and founder of Greater New Vision Ministries Inc., holds hands with other faith leaders while in prayer on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a gathering of regional faith leaders outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. A shooting at the school left a teacher and student dead. — The Rev. Dinah Tatman, CEO and founder of Greater New Vision Ministries Inc., holds hands with other faith leaders while in prayer on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. A shooting at the school earlier this week left a teacher and student dead.

Rev. Beverly Stith of St. John AME Church leads a group of faith leaders in prayer on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a gathering of regional faith leaders outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. — The Rev. Beverly Stith of St. John AME Church leads a group of faith leaders in prayer on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a gathering of regional faith leaders outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.

Rev. Charles Norris of St. James AME Church leads a group of faith leaders in prayer and song on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. — The Rev. Charles Norris of St. James AME Church leads a group of faith leaders in prayer and song on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

Rev. Dinah Tatmanon, CEO and founder of Greater New Vision Ministries Inc., holds hands with Rev. Sheila Scott of Imani AME Church on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. — The Rev. Dinah Tatmanon, CEO and founder of Greater New Vision Ministries Inc., holds hands with the Rev. Sheila Scott of Imani AME Church on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

Bishop Lee Scott of Lively Stone Church of God, center, and Rabbi Susan Talve of the Central Reform Congregation, right, pray while laying their hands on the entrance to Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, after a shooting that left two dead at the school in south St. Louis.

Hundreds gather to remember physical education teacher Jean Kuczka and 15-year-old student Alexzandria Bell on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. The two were killed during a school shooting earlier in the week. — Hundreds gather to remember physical education teacher Jean Kuczka and 15-year-old student Alexzandria Bell on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. The two were killed during a school shooting earlier in the week.

Theresa Leachman, 39, right, consoles Jordan Williams, 21, left, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a vigil outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. Williams is a former member of the Dazzling Diamonds Dance Team, where she danced with Alexzandria Bell — one of the victims in this week’s school shooting at the south St. Louis high school. “I’m just devastated,” Williams said. “Alex was always smiling and laughing.” — Theresa Leachman, 39, right, consoles Jordan Williams, 21, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a vigil outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. Williams is a former member of the Dazzling Diamonds Dance Team who danced with Alexzandria Bell — one of the victims in this week’s shooting at the south St. Louis high school. “I’m just devastated,” Williams said. “Alex was always smiling and laughing.”

Shamon Williams, a 17-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts High student, and Alyssa Sander, a 14-year-old student, embrace on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a vigil outside of the high school in south St. Louis. A school shooting left two dead earlier in the week. — Shamon Williams, a 17-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts High student, and Alyssa Sander, a 14-year-old student, embrace on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a vigil outside the school in south St. Louis. A school shooting left two dead earlier in the week.

Jazmin Garcia, of Carondolet, lays her head on the shoulder of her daughter Atzyri Garcia,16, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a vigil outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. Garcia was in class when a gunman entered the school, killing a student and a teacher.

Demitrius Bakers, 43, holds a candle up to the sky on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a memorial service at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. Bakers said he was cousins with Alexzandria Bell, the 15-year-old student who was killed in the Central VPA school shooting earlier this week.

Marucie Williams, 46, holds a candle up to the sky on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a memorial service at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. “My mind is just blank,” Williams said. “I’m still trying to process it all.”

Dachelle Miller, 15, and Kevian Seltzer, 16, light candles on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, during a memorial service for a student and teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. A shooter attacked the school earlier in the week, killing two.

Hundreds release balloons to remember physical education teacher Jean Kuczka and 15-year-old student Alexzandria Bell on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. The two were killed during a school shooting earlier in the week. — Hundreds release balloons to remember physical education teacher Jean Kuczka and 15-year-old student Alexzandria Bell on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. The two were killed during a school shooting earlier in the week.

A poster honoring 15-year-old Alexzandria Bell on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, after a memorial vigil outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. Bell and physical education teacher Jean Kuscka were killed in a school shooting earlier in the week. — A poster honoring 15-year-old Alexzandria Bell on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, after a memorial vigil outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. Bell and physical education teacher Jean Kuscka were killed in a school shooting earlier in the week.

Several heart balloons are affixed to the top of the Kingshighway road sign and stoplight on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis. — Several heart balloons are affixed to the top of the Kingshighway road sign and stoplight on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

St. Louis firefighters work to raise a large American flag over Lindell Avenue on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, before funeral services for Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health and physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School who was killed last week. — St. Louis firefighters work to raise a large American flag over Lindell Avenue on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, before funeral services for Jean Kuczka, a health and physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School who was killed last week.

Hundreds father to mourn the death of Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health and physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. Kuczka was one of two people who were killed during an attack at the school last week. — Hundreds gather to mourn Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health and physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. Kuczka was one of two people who were killed during an attack at the school last week.

Hundreds gather to mourn the death of Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health and physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. Kuczka was one of two people who were killed during an attack at the school last week. — A clergyman burns incense while at the entrance of the Cathedral Basilica during funeral services for Jean Kuczka, a teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in the Central West End. Kuczka was one of two people who were killed during an attack at the school last week.

Family members retreat a casket carrying Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health and physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School who was killed last week, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, outside of the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. — Family members follow a casket carrying Jean Kuczka, a 61-year-old health and physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School who was killed last week, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, outside the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End.

Jean Kuczka’s family members mother Barbara Edmonds, left, husband Stephen Kuczka, center, daughter Abigail Kuczka, and son Stephen Kuczka Jr., react as their matriarch’s casket is loaded into a hearse on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, outside of the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. The 61-year-old health and physical education teacher was killed during an attack at the school last week. — Jean Kuczka’s mother Barbara Edmonds, husband Stephen Kuczka, daughter Abigail Kuczka, and son Stephen Kuczka Jr., watch as her casket is loaded into a hearse on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, outside of the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. The 61-year-old health and physical education teacher was killed during an attack at the school last week.

Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski consoles Stephen Kuczka after his wife Jean Kuczka’s funeral on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, outside of the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. — Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski consoles Stephen Kuczka after the funeral for his wife, Jean Kuczka, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, outside the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End.

Dr. Kacy Seals Shahid, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School principal, embraces Keisha Acres, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, after funeral services for CVPA teacher Jean Kuczka at the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End. Kuczka and 15-year-old Alexandria Bell, Acres’ daughter, were killed when a gunman attacked the school last week.

Veronica Russell (second from left), a 17-year-old student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, leads hundreds as they hold a march calling for gun legislation reform on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in south St. Louis. Central VPA was subject to an attack last month, where a teacher and student were killed. — Veronica Russell, second from left, a 17-year-old student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, leads hundreds as they hold a march calling for new gun legislation on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in south St. Louis. The school was subject to a shooting last month in which a teacher and student were killed.

Dominique Smith, a 21-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts High School alum, follows the crowd on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a march calling for gun reform along Arsenal Street in south St. Louis. — Dominique Smith, a 21-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts High School alum, marches on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, to call for new gun restrictions along Arsenal Street in south St. Louis.

Hundreds of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School students, alumni and community members call for gun legislation reform on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in south St. Louis. Central VPA was subject to an attack last month, where a teacher and student were killed. — Hundreds of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School students, alumni and community members call for gun law changes on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in south St. Louis.

Central Visual and Performing Arts High School alumna Kierra Bowser, 23, of Ferguson, assistant principal Perry Anselman, 63, and alumna Alexis Allen-Brown, 24, of Bellefontaine, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a memorial service for two killed in a deadly shooting last month at the school in south St. Louis. — Central Visual and Performing Arts High School alumna Kierra Bowser, 23, of Ferguson, assistant principal Perry Anselman, 63, and alumna Alexis Allen-Brown, 24, of Bellefontaine, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a memorial service for two people killed in a shooting last month at the school in south St. Louis.

Dr. Kacy Seals, principal at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, paints on a canvas on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month that left a student and teacher dead. — Kacy Seals, principal at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, paints on a canvas on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month that left a student and teacher dead.

Kayona Brown, a 17-year-old student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, paints a flower and “CVPA” on the cheek of Taneyia Ingram, a 17-year-old student at the school, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" event at the school in south St. Louis.

Central Visual and Performing Arts High School dance students warm up on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, before performing at a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month. — Central Visual and Performing Arts High School dance students warm up on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, before performing at a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis.

Central Visual and Performing Arts High School theater students perform to the song Rise Up on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month. — Central Visual and Performing Arts High School theater students perform to the song "Rise Up" on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month.

Corie Duncan, a Central Visual and Performing Arts High School theater student, performs on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month.

Dr. Kacy Seals, principal at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, addresses hundreds on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month that left two dead. — Kacy Seals, principal at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, addresses hundreds on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month.

Keisha Acres, the mother of 15-year-old shooting victim Alexzandria Bell, tells a crowd of hundreds to stay on top of their loved one’s mental health needs on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month.

Steve Kuczka, husband to the late physical education and health teacher Jean Kuczka, gives remarks about community support while flanked by family members on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event in south St. Louis following an attack at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School last month. — Steve Kuczka, husband of the late physical education and health teacher Jean Kuczka, gives remarks about community support while flanked by family members on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event in south St. Louis following an attack at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School last month.

Veronica Russell, a 17-year-old student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, invites community members up to dance on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month.

Dominique Smith, a 21-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts High School alum, reacts to a performance by the school’s dance students on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis.

Keisha Acres, the mother of 15-year-old shooting victim Alexzandria Bell, dances among Central Visual and Performing Arts students on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis following an attack at the school last month.

Hundreds gather to honor two killed in a school shooting last month on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis.

Jaylen Washington (left), a 16-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts student, reacts while pulling out lanterns next to Zy’riah Taylor, 16, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis. — Jaylen Washington, left, a 16-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts student, reacts while pulling out lanterns next to Zy’riah Taylor, 16, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis.

Central Visual and Performing Arts High School assistant principal Perry Anselman, 63, embraces Keisha Acres, mother of the late Alexzandria Bell, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event at the school in south St. Louis.

Elisia Cisneros, a 15-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts High School student, releases a lantern to honor two killed during a school shooting last month on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at the school in south St. Louis. — Elisia Cisneros, a 15-year-old Central Visual and Performing Arts High School student, releases a lantern to honor two people killed during a school shooting last month on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at the school in south St. Louis.

From left: Lavonda Rush, 50, Jarr’yah Bradford, 14, Andre Rush, 40, Tamia Johnson, 11, and Angel Rush, 15, embrace on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at the end a "Family Undivided" community event honoring two killed at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School last month in south St. Louis. — From left: Lavonda Rush, 50; Jarr’yah Bradford, 14; Andre Rush, 40; Tamia Johnson, 11; and Angel Rush, 15, embrace on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at the end a "Family Undivided" community event honoring two people killed at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School last month in south St. Louis.

Becky Pierce, 59, embraces her daughter Alexandria Pierce, 31, both of Tower Grove South after a moment of silence on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event honoring two killed at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School last month in south St. Louis. — Becky Pierce, 59, embraces her daughter Alexandria Pierce, 31, both of Tower Grove South, after a moment of silence on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, during a "Family Undivided" community event honoring two people killed at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School last month in south St. Louis.

Chad Davis, Rachel Lippmann, Kate Grumke, Eric Schmid, Jeremy Goodwin and Holly Edgell contributed to this report. Follow St. Louis Public Radio on Instagram at @stlpublicradio.

Brian Munoz is a staff photojournalist and multimedia reporter at St. Louis Public Radio. You can reach him by email at bmunoz@stlpr.org and follow his work on Instagram and Twitter at @brianmmunoz.