Two teenagers were taken into custody Sunday after a series of shootings in East St. Louis left five members of the same family dead and two other relatives seriously injured, Illinois State Police officials said.
Arrests, victims and investigation
Authorities detained the suspects — a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old — following an early-morning police response that stemmed from a call described by officials as being "related to investigating human remains," Illinois State Police leaders said at a news conference on Sunday, July 12, 2026. As of Sunday evening, neither teenager had been formally charged and investigators did not publicly outline a motive.
“These alleged aspects of horrific violence, taking this number of lives here in this community — it’s terrible, it’s evil, but it will not keep this city down.”
— Brendan Kelly, director of the Illinois State Police
State police said the shootings were targeted and occurred at three separate locations in East St. Louis. Officials have said at least one of the suspects is believed to be related to the slain family members, but they have not provided details about the relationships or the chronology of the attacks.
Identified victims
The Illinois State Police released the names and ages of those killed. The victims are:
- Cherie L. May, 49
- Devin D. May, 24
- Patricia A. May, 74
- Quentin L. Thompson, 21
- Shania W. Thompson, 25
Two other relatives were reported seriously wounded. Police declined to specify their identities or current medical conditions.
| Detail | Known information |
|---|---|
| Number of victims killed | 5 |
| Injured | 2 (seriously) |
| Suspects in custody | Two teenagers (ages 15 and 16) |
| Locations | Three sites in East St. Louis |
Community impact and next steps
East St. Louis has long confronted challenges with violent crime, and state police officials emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce violence even as they described the scale of this case as "horrific." Investigators have been working to determine timelines and connections among the scenes and victims; as of the news conference, they had not disclosed when the killings occurred or a specific sequence of events.
Officials said the arrests came after a call that prompted investigators to the area. The two juveniles were apprehended Sunday morning and remain in custody pending further legal action. Prosecutors had not filed formal charges by Sunday night.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the shootings to contact Illinois State Police or local law enforcement. Additional details, including whether more charges will be filed and official timelines, are expected as the investigation proceeds.
This remains an active, developing investigation. News Block will continue to report updates as officials release more information.
