Two teenagers remain in custody as prosecutors review a shooting investigation spanning three locations and seven victims from one family.
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Criminal charges could be announced soon against two teenagers detained after five members of one family were killed and two others were wounded in a series of shootings across East St. Louis, authorities said.
The suspects, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody Sunday after police stopped a vehicle believed to be connected to the shootings. Illinois State Police said at least one of the teenagers has a family connection to the victims. Authorities have not identified either suspect because they are minors, and no court has determined responsibility for the killings.
St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric said prosecutors were reviewing the evidence and could reach a charging decision by Tuesday. The review followed an investigation involving several crime scenes, witness accounts and evidence collected after the teenagers were detained. Officials have not said what charges are under consideration or whether either case could be moved from juvenile court.
The five people killed were identified as Quentin L. Thompson, 21; Devin D. May, 24; Shania W. Thompson, 25; Cherie L. May, 49; and Patricia A. May, 74. Two additional relatives were wounded. Their names have not been released, and authorities have provided limited information about their conditions.
Police described the violence as a targeted attack against a family rather than a random shooting. A motive remained under investigation, and officials have not explained what may have led to the attacks or detailed the exact relationship between each victim and the teenage suspects.
The shootings unfolded Sunday morning at three locations in the city. One person was killed at a home near North 39th Street and Summit Avenue. Three others were killed at the Samuel Gompers public housing development. Three people were shot at nearby Jones Park, and two of those victims survived.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said troopers located a vehicle associated with the case and took both teenagers into custody after stopping it. Police said there was no known continuing threat to the public after the arrests.
The number of victims, the separate crime scenes and the suspects’ ages have made the investigation especially complex. Authorities have not said whether they believe both teenagers fired shots, whether one acted as an accomplice or what evidence links each suspect to the individual shooting sites.
Public officials and residents expressed shock as investigators worked through the scenes. East St. Louis Councilman Courtney Hoffman II called the deaths heartbreaking and said he had never heard of violence on that scale in the community during his lifetime.
Any charges would mark the beginning of the court process, not a finding of guilt. Authorities said the investigation remained active and that more information would be released after prosecutors complete their review.
Author note: Last updated July 14, 2026.