Five people were fatally shot and two others wounded in what Illinois State Police described as a series of related, targeted attacks in East St. Louis over the weekend, officials said Sunday afternoon.
Timeline and scenes of the attacks
State police said the incidents occurred at three separate locations in the city and involved seven members of the same family. Authorities did not publicly specify how the victims were related.
- Samuel Gompers Homes: Three people were fatally shot at the public housing complex.
- 800 block of 39th Street: One person died following a shooting at a residence.
- Jones Park: One person was killed and two others were seriously wounded and remain hospitalized.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, speaking at a news conference held at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis, described the events as "alleged acts of horrific violence" and said investigators are treating the incidents as a targeted mass shooting because the scenes and victims were connected.
"It's terrible, it's evil, but it will not keep this city down," Kelly said.
Victims, arrests and investigation status
The five people who died were identified by authorities as:
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Cherie L. May | 49 |
| Quentin L. Thompson | 21 |
| Devin D. May | 24 |
| Shania Thompson | 25 |
| Patricia A. May | 74 |
Two additional people shot at Jones Park are hospitalized with what Kelly described as serious injuries. Illinois State Police said two 16-year-old suspects were detained Sunday at Frank Holten State Park in East St. Louis. Investigators are working with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, and charges were expected to be filed, Kelly said.
At the press conference, Kelly would not discuss a possible motive or how the juveniles may have obtained firearms. He also said that while shootings of this scale have occurred in the past, they remain "very rare" and that state police currently believe there is no ongoing threat to the public because the attacks were targeted.
What this means for the community
Families and neighbors gathered near the Samuel Gompers Homes on Sunday, leaving flowers and consoling one another. Community leaders and law enforcement emphasized that an active investigation is underway and urged residents with any information to come forward to assist detectives.
Authorities have not released additional details about the two juveniles' identities, the condition of the hospitalized victims beyond being seriously injured, or the exact timelines for when each shooting occurred. Investigators said they will provide more information as the probe advances and charges are formally filed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Illinois State Police or local law enforcement. For residents concerned about immediate safety, local police recommend standard precautions: be aware of surroundings, report suspicious activity, and stay informed through official channels.
This remains a developing story. News Block will follow updates from state and local authorities and report new information as it becomes available.
