EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Seven members of a single family were shot Sunday in what Illinois State Police described as multiple, targeted shootings across East St. Louis. Five people died and two remain in critical condition, authorities said.
What happened
State police said the shootings occurred in three separate locations in East St. Louis, including Jones Park. Officials did not disclose an exact time for the attacks during a press briefing. The victims have been identified by Illinois State Police as Cherie May, 49; Devin May, 24; Patricia May, 74; Quentin Thompson, 21; and Shania Thompson, 25.
Suspects detained
Two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, are in custody after officers used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle carrying the suspects, ISP said. Authorities indicated both suspects are related to the family and that one suspect is related to one of the people who were killed. State police said they are working with the state’s attorney’s office to file charges.
Local impact and response
Although the shootings took place in East St. Louis, the incident reverberates across the wider St. Louis metropolitan area, where families and neighbors share schools, transit and services that cross the Mississippi River. Illinois State Police told the public there is no known ongoing threat, but the scale of the violence and the involvement of multiple locations have raised fresh concerns about safety among residents on both sides of the river.
- Victims: Five confirmed dead; two critically injured.
- Crime scene locations: Three locations in East St. Louis, including Jones Park.
- Suspects: Two teens (15 and 16) detained after a PIT maneuver; investigators say suspects are related to victims.
“There is no known threat to the public,” Illinois State Police said during a press conference announcing the arrests and the ongoing investigation.
What comes next
Investigators with the Illinois State Police are continuing their probe and coordination with the state’s attorney’s office to determine charges. Officials have identified the deceased and confirmed the familial relationship among victims; beyond that, details about motive, timeline and the exact sequence of events at each scene have not been released.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number shot | 7 |
| Fatalities | 5 |
| In critical condition | 2 |
| Suspects in custody | 2 (ages 15 and 16) |
| Known locations | Multiple sites in East St. Louis, including Jones Park |
This episode adds to a troubling pattern of family-targeted and mass shootings that officials in the region are grappling with. For St. Louis-area residents, it underscores the need for clear communication between Illinois and Missouri authorities when violent incidents cross municipal and state boundaries. News Block will continue to monitor the investigation and report updates as prosecutors and police release more information.
