Tragic Incident in East St. Louis: 78-Year-Old Man Killed

A 78-year-old man, known for paying surprise visits to his older sister, was tragically killed in East St. Louis, Illinois, according to his family. John Wesley Allen lost his life in a random attack by a teenager dressed in a clown costume, as reported by state police.

Allen was found lifeless near a bus stop he regularly used to visit his sister, Delores Fowler. She mentioned, “He’d never make an appointment. He’d just call me and say, ‘Are you at home?’ Then I’d say, ‘Yeah, I’ll come get you at the MetroLink station or the bus stop.’” Fowler, now 82, reflected on their frequent routine.

Allen, a retired bus driver from Metro Transit in St. Louis, had worked there from 1977 until his retirement in 1994. Despite concerns from his family about his safety on public transit, Allen enjoyed being social and meeting people. “He was a very friendly person. He would talk to anybody. He just loved people,” Fowler expressed.

Allen was a widower residing in a retirement community in St. Louis. His wife, Yvonne Allen, passed away in 2019 at the age of 65. A 15-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with Allen’s death, although no prior connections between them are known, according to police.

Allen’s niece, Tania Stanford, shared the family’s concerns about his frequent visits. “We were always concerned about him coming over without calling, but he just enjoyed being with his sister,” she said. Stanford, 49, described him as a generous and loving person. “He’d give you the shirt off his back.”

Allen’s family learned of his passing through local news coverage. Fowler initially doubted the reports until they confirmed his identity. Friends had asked her if it was John they saw on the news. Fowler responded, “I said to myself, ‘Well, that’s not him. His name is John Wesley Allen.’”

East St. Louis police have referred inquiries about the case to Illinois State Police, now leading the investigation. The state authorities have not commented on the situation. It remains unknown if the suspect has legal representation.

Fowler voiced her wish for the teenager to be charged as an adult, stating, “He took a person’s life for no reason.”