Police are investigating three connected shooting scenes in East St. Louis as they work to determine a motive and possible charges.
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Two teenage suspects were in custody Monday after seven members of one family were shot at three locations in East St. Louis, leaving five dead and two seriously injured, Illinois State Police said.
Authorities described the violence as a targeted mass shooting because the victims were related and the three crime scenes appeared to be connected. Investigators had not released a motive, and no charges had been filed as of early Monday. Police said they did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the public.
The shootings were investigated at the Samuel Gompers Homes public housing complex, a home near 39th Street and Summit Avenue, and Jones Park. Three people were killed at the housing complex, one was killed near the 39th Street home and another died after being found at Jones Park, according to authorities.
Two other victims were shot at Jones Park and taken to a hospital in St. Louis with serious injuries. State police had not released their names or provided more detailed information about their conditions.
The five people killed were identified as Cherie L. May, 49; Devin D. May, 24; Patricia A. May, 74; Quentin L. Thompson, 21; and Shania W. Thompson, 25. All five were from East St. Louis.
Police said the exact timing and sequence of the shootings remained under investigation. Authorities received reports involving human remains at a housing complex, a park and a home, and investigators said some of the violence may have happened before Sunday even though most of it was believed to have occurred that day.
The suspects, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody Sunday at Frank Holten State Park in East St. Louis. Police said the teenagers are related to each other and that at least one of them is believed to be related to at least one of the victims. Authorities did not explain the relationships further.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said investigators were working across several complex crime scenes to establish a complete timeline. State police special agents, troopers and local officers were examining how the shootings unfolded and whether additional evidence connected the locations.
Authorities had not disclosed how many firearms were recovered, where the weapons came from or what may have led to the shootings. Police also had not said whether investigators were seeking any additional suspects.
State police were consulting with the St. Clair County state’s attorney’s office as the investigation continued. Any charging decision involving the teenage suspects would come after investigators submit the available evidence for review.
Author note: Last updated July 13, 2026.