EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Two teenagers were charged Wednesday in the deaths of five members of an East St. Louis family in what authorities described as a targeted attack that unfolded over multiple locations, leaving two other people wounded.
Arrests and charges
Illinois State Police and local authorities say the shootings occurred on July 12. Troopers stopped a vehicle at a state park the same day and arrested the suspects. Prosecutors have charged Ja'ymeir Davis and a 15-year-old girl; the 16-year-old male suspect will be tried as an adult, while proceedings for the 15-year-old will start in juvenile court with the possibility of transfer to criminal court.
- Date of incident: July 12
- Location: Multiple scenes in East St. Louis
- Arrests: Suspects stopped and taken into custody at a state park
- Charges: Davis appeared in court on 12 counts including five counts of murder
Victims and community impact
Local authorities told reporters five people were killed and two were wounded. The victims ranged in age; officials reported they were 74, 49, 25, 24 and 21 years old. Authorities have not released the victims’ identities. Family members described the dead as relatives of Marcus May; he told local media he lost his mother and sister, a nephew and two stepchildren.
“targeted mass shooting”
The Illinois State Police called the incident a targeted mass shooting, indicating investigators believe specific people were singled out rather than victims being chosen at random.
Allegations in court filings
Court records and reporting indicate Davis is accused of killing Marcus May’s mother, Patricia May, and of mutilating her body by cutting off her right thumb. The Associated Press reported that one of the victims, identified by family as Cherie May, was shot several days before succumbing to her wounds, suggesting at least one killing did not occur on the same day as the others.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Number killed | 5 |
| Number wounded | 2 |
| Victims' ages reported | 74, 49, 25, 24, 21 |
| Prosecution status | 16-year-old to be tried as adult; 15-year-old begins in juvenile court |
Next steps and public safety
Davis was ordered to remain in custody after appearing in court; the public defender’s office has been appointed to represent him. Local prosecutors will decide on filings against the juvenile defendant following the initial juvenile proceedings and any recommendation for transfer. Police continue to withhold the victims’ names pending notifications to next of kin and further investigation.
The slayings have reverberated through East St. Louis, a city that shares a metro area with St. Louis, Missouri. Investigators from the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies are handling the case and have not provided additional motive details beyond characterizing the events as targeted killings. Residents seeking information should follow updates from the St. Clair County prosecutor’s office and the Illinois State Police.
This coverage is based on reporting from The Associated Press and statements from the Illinois State Police and local authorities.
