Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting spree in southern Illinois that resulted in the death of five family members. Despite the arrests, police and prosecutors have not disclosed the names or genders of the 16- and 15-year-old suspects, or their exact relationships to each other or the victims.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly stated there is a family connection between the suspects and the victims. Specifically, he mentioned, ‘One of them is,’ when asked about the suspects’ relation to the victims. However, further details were not provided.
At least seven members of the targeted family were shot at various locations in the East St. Louis area, and five of them have been confirmed deceased, according to Kelly.
The five individuals who died have been identified as Cherie L. May, 49; Devin D. May, 24; Patricia A. May, 74; Quentin L. Thompson, 21; and Shania W. Thompson, 25. Patricia A. May, aged 74, was employed at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as an office support associate from July 21, 1986, until her retirement on December 31, 2011.
The shootings occurred at three separate locations in close proximity to each other, though a specific timeline has yet to be released. One individual was killed near Summit Avenue and North 39th Street. Three more victims were shot at the Samuel Gompers Homes, and another was killed at Jones Park, where two additional people were wounded.
Chris Allen, a spokesperson for the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, noted that rules from the Illinois Supreme Court restrict what information prosecutors can share. This limitation is particularly relevant in cases involving potential juvenile offenders.