Topline: Five members of an East St. Louis family were killed and two others critically wounded in what state police called a targeted attack spanning three locations.
Published: July 14, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
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EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — Five members of one family were killed and two more were critically wounded Sunday in what Illinois State Police described as a targeted attack spread across three East St. Louis crime scenes.
Investigators said the shootings unfolded at 39th and Summit streets, the Samuel Gompers Homes in the 400 block of North 6th Street, and Jones Park in the 2500 block of Argonne Drive. Police said one person died at the first scene, three at the housing complex and one at the park, where two other relatives survived with serious injuries and were taken to a St. Louis hospital.
According to KSDK, the dead were identified as Patricia A. May, 74; Cherie L. May, 49; Devin D. May, 24; Shania W. Thompson, 25; and Quentin L. Thompson, 21. Illinois State Police Director Brenden Kelly said both surviving relatives were in serious condition, two suspects ages 15 and 16 were arrested after a PIT maneuver in Frank Holten State Park, and the teens were related to the victims, though officials had not yet explained exactly how.
Kelly said investigators had not established a motive, but he told reporters the shootings appeared targeted and there was no ongoing threat to the public. He also said some of the killings may have happened before Sunday morning, charges were being prepared with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, and anyone with information should contact East St. Louis police or Illinois State Police.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Five Family Members Killed, Two Hurt in Targeted East St. Louis Shooting
Five members of an East St. Louis family were killed and two others critically wounded in what state police called a targeted attack spanning three locations.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 14, 2026 4:30 pm ET
EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — Five members of one family were killed and two more were critically wounded Sunday in what Illinois State Police described as a targeted attack spread across three East St. Louis crime scenes.
Investigators said the shootings unfolded at 39th and Summit streets, the Samuel Gompers Homes in the 400 block of North 6th Street, and Jones Park in the 2500 block of Argonne Drive. Police said one person died at the first scene, three at the housing complex and one at the park, where two other relatives survived with serious injuries and were taken to a St. Louis hospital.
According to KSDK, the dead were identified as Patricia A. May, 74; Cherie L. May, 49; Devin D. May, 24; Shania W. Thompson, 25; and Quentin L. Thompson, 21. Illinois State Police Director Brenden Kelly said both surviving relatives were in serious condition, two suspects ages 15 and 16 were arrested after a PIT maneuver in Frank Holten State Park, and the teens were related to the victims, though officials had not yet explained exactly how.
Kelly said investigators had not established a motive, but he told reporters the shootings appeared targeted and there was no ongoing threat to the public. He also said some of the killings may have happened before Sunday morning, charges were being prepared with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, and anyone with information should contact East St. Louis police or Illinois State Police.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Five Family Members Killed, Two Hurt in Targeted East St. Louis Shooting
Five members of an East St. Louis family were killed and two others critically wounded in what state police called a targeted attack spanning three locations.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 14, 2026 4:30 pm ET
EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — Five members of one family were killed and two more were critically wounded Sunday in what Illinois State Police described as a targeted attack spread across three East St. Louis crime scenes.
Investigators said the shootings unfolded at 39th and Summit streets, the Samuel Gompers Homes in the 400 block of North 6th Street, and Jones Park in the 2500 block of Argonne Drive. Police said one person died at the first scene, three at the housing complex and one at the park, where two other relatives survived with serious injuries and were taken to a St. Louis hospital.
According to KSDK, the dead were identified as Patricia A. May, 74; Cherie L. May, 49; Devin D. May, 24; Shania W. Thompson, 25; and Quentin L. Thompson, 21. Illinois State Police Director Brenden Kelly said both surviving relatives were in serious condition, two suspects ages 15 and 16 were arrested after a PIT maneuver in Frank Holten State Park, and the teens were related to the victims, though officials had not yet explained exactly how.
Kelly said investigators had not established a motive, but he told reporters the shootings appeared targeted and there was no ongoing threat to the public. He also said some of the killings may have happened before Sunday morning, charges were being prepared with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, and anyone with information should contact East St. Louis police or Illinois State Police.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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