EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A quiet Sunday turned tragic when a series of shootings across East St. Louis left five members of one family dead and two more people wounded. Illinois State Police is now working alongside local law enforcement to piece together what happened and why.
Two teenagers, ages 15 and 16, are currently in custody in connection with the killings. They were taken into custody at Frank Holten State Park, and investigators say Illinois State Police is pursuing formal charges through the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Officials noted that one of the suspects is related to at least one of the victims, adding a painful layer to an already devastating case.
The violence unfolded at three separate locations in the city. One victim was killed near North 39th Street and Summit Avenue. Three more people lost their lives at the Samuel Gompers Housing Development. A third shooting took place at Jones Park, across from the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, where three people were shot. One person died there while two others were taken to the hospital with injuries.
The five people killed have been identified as Quentin L. Thompson, 21; Devin D. May, 24; Shania W. Thompson, 25; Cherie L. May, 49; and Patricia A. May, 74. Investigators describe the shootings as a targeted attack on one family rather than a random act of violence against the community.
Neighbors Describe Shock and Grief
Residents near the Gompers complex said they were stunned by the level of violence in an area they consider close and peaceful. One neighbor said the community is not used to this kind of tragedy and described how everyone woke up to the devastating news.
Another resident said he felt heartbroken knowing lives were lost, especially those of women in the neighborhood, and emphasized how tightly connected the community feels.
Officials have tried to reassure the public that there is no ongoing danger to residents. A city councilman said this was not the kind of shooting that should make people fear going about their daily routines, stressing that it was an isolated incident tied to the family involved rather than something threatening the wider public.
Investigation Continues as Community Mourns
Authorities have not released a specific motive, though a local police official said a clearer picture is starting to come together as detectives continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence. State police, troopers, and local partner agencies remain involved in the investigation.
City leadership called the shootings evil and heartbreaking, but insisted the tragedy will not define East St. Louis or undo the progress the city has made in recent years. Officials say they remain committed to supporting the family members left behind and the broader community as healing begins.
As of now, no additional arrests have been announced beyond the two teenagers already in custody, and the investigation remains active. Community members have expressed hope that answers will come soon, even as they continue to process the loss of five family members in a single day.
