Jarrell Fountain: Teenager Stabbed to Death Near Belleville Elementary School

For the second time in a week a metro St. Louis man has been murdered at or near a local elementary school.

Today's homicide was first reported at 6:30 a.m. when Belleville police were called to a home in the 300 block of N. First Street after the owner of the property discovered the body of 18-year-old Jarrell Fountain lying in the side yard (photo above).

It's unclear when exactly Fountain was stabbed, but police believe that Fountain was stabbed to death near the Franklin School at 301 N. Second Street, about a half block from where he died. Blood could be found on the sidewalk outside the school and police have cordoned off part of the school lawn to conduct their investigation. Classes continued at the school today.

Fountain's murder is eerily similar to the killing last Friday morning of Damon Walker who was chased onto the playground of Ford Elementary School where he was shot to death.

Fountain's death is the first homicide of the year in Belleville.