Two Teenagers Arrested After 5 Family Members Killed in East St. Louis

Five members of the same family were killed and two others wounded in a series of targeted shootings across East St. Louis, Illinois, on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Two teenage suspects, ages 15 and 16, were arrested and are in custody as a multiagency investigation led by the Illinois State Police continues.

Authorities described the attacks as a "targeted mass shooting" that occurred at three separate locations within the city. One person was killed near the intersection of North 39th Street and Summit Avenue. Three additional victims were found dead at the Samuel Gompers Housing Development. A third shooting occurred at Jones Park, where three people were shot; one of those victims later died, bringing the total fatalities to five. The two surviving victims were transported to a hospital for treatment.

The victims were identified as Quentin L. Thompson, 21; Devin D. May, 24; Shania W. Thompson, 25; Cherie L. May, 49; and Patricia A. May, 74. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly confirmed that one of the juvenile suspects is related to at least one of the victims. A motive for the shootings has not been publicly disclosed, though officials said the investigation is...