A mass shooting across three locations in East St. Louis has left five family members dead and two others fighting for their lives. The victims of the Sunday violence were identified by authorities as 49-year-old Cherie May, 24-year-old Devin May, 74-year-old Patricia May, 21-year-old Quentin Thompson, and 25-year-old Shania Thompson, CBS Chicago reported.
The investigation involves multiple crime scenes, including a public housing complex, a park, and a residential home. While the city has seen a targeted decline in violence over the last few years, this tragedy has deeply impacted residents who view their neighborhood as a sanctuary.
Public housing resident Keveon Johnson compared the tragedy to a television crime drama when speaking to FOX 2. “This feels like something that would happen on ‘The First 48’, not right across from you,” Johnson said.
Another neighbor, Samuel McClain Jr., expressed the shock felt by those living in the area. “It’s a peaceful neighborhood, so when everybody got woke up and heard that a female was deceased, that’s a lot because we’re not used to it,” McClain said.
Two suspects, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody at Frank Holten State Park. Illinois State Police officials noted that the suspects are related to each other, and at least one is related to one of the victims.
Illinois State Police Director Brenden Kelly addressed the city’s spirit after the evil act, per reports from FOX 2. “It will not keep this city down. The progress we have made will not be lost as a result of these terrible acts of violence that have occurred in this community today,” Kelly said.
City Councilman Courtney Hoffman sought to reassure residents that the incident was an isolated targeting of a specific family rather than a random threat. “This is not a mass shooting where you have to worry about going to the grocery store and someone opening fire,” Hoffman said.
Despite the arrests, the motive remains unclear as special agents and local partners continue to process the complex crime scenes.