Topline: Dozens of East St. Louis neighbors gathered for a candlelight vigil and balloon release as the city mourned five members of one family killed in last weekend’s shooting spree.
Published: July 21, 2026 4:04 pm ET
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EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — Dozens of neighbors gathered Saturday for a community healing event, candlelight vigil and balloon release honoring five members of one East St. Louis family who were killed in a shooting spree that stunned the city less than a week earlier.
According to KSDK, the remembrance was held as loved ones and neighbors continued mourning Cherie L. May, Devin D. May, Patricia A. May, Quentin L. Thompson and Shania W. Thompson, all killed in what investigators have described as a targeted attack.
Illinois State Police said seven relatives were shot in all, with the violence unfolding across three locations in East St. Louis, including 39th and Summit, the Gompers public housing complex and Jones Park. Two other family members survived with serious injuries.
Authorities have said two suspects, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody after the killings and that at least one of them had ties to the victims. Investigators have said the shooting was not random, and the case has left a grieving community trying to honor five lost family members while waiting for the next steps in court.
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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East St. Louis Community Holds Day of Remembrance for Five Slain Family Members
Dozens of East St. Louis neighbors gathered for a candlelight vigil and balloon release as the city mourned five members of one family killed in last weekend’s shooting spree.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 21, 2026 4:04 pm ET
EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — Dozens of neighbors gathered Saturday for a community healing event, candlelight vigil and balloon release honoring five members of one East St. Louis family who were killed in a shooting spree that stunned the city less than a week earlier.
According to KSDK, the remembrance was held as loved ones and neighbors continued mourning Cherie L. May, Devin D. May, Patricia A. May, Quentin L. Thompson and Shania W. Thompson, all killed in what investigators have described as a targeted attack.
Illinois State Police said seven relatives were shot in all, with the violence unfolding across three locations in East St. Louis, including 39th and Summit, the Gompers public housing complex and Jones Park. Two other family members survived with serious injuries.
Authorities have said two suspects, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody after the killings and that at least one of them had ties to the victims. Investigators have said the shooting was not random, and the case has left a grieving community trying to honor five lost family members while waiting for the next steps in court.
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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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
East St. Louis Community Holds Day of Remembrance for Five Slain Family Members
Dozens of East St. Louis neighbors gathered for a candlelight vigil and balloon release as the city mourned five members of one family killed in last weekend’s shooting spree.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 21, 2026 4:04 pm ET
EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — Dozens of neighbors gathered Saturday for a community healing event, candlelight vigil and balloon release honoring five members of one East St. Louis family who were killed in a shooting spree that stunned the city less than a week earlier.
According to KSDK, the remembrance was held as loved ones and neighbors continued mourning Cherie L. May, Devin D. May, Patricia A. May, Quentin L. Thompson and Shania W. Thompson, all killed in what investigators have described as a targeted attack.
Illinois State Police said seven relatives were shot in all, with the violence unfolding across three locations in East St. Louis, including 39th and Summit, the Gompers public housing complex and Jones Park. Two other family members survived with serious injuries.
Authorities have said two suspects, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody after the killings and that at least one of them had ties to the victims. Investigators have said the shooting was not random, and the case has left a grieving community trying to honor five lost family members while waiting for the next steps in court.
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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