Two Teenagers Arrested After Five Family Members Killed in Illinois Mass Shooting

Two Teenagers Arrested After Five Family Members Killed in Illinois Mass Shooting

Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of five members of the same family and the wounding of two others in East St. Louis, Illinois, United States.

According to authorities, the suspects, aged 15 and 16, allegedly carried out the attacks across multiple locations on Sunday, July 12. As they are minors, their identities have not been released. Police said they have been taken into custody but have not yet been formally charged.

The victims were identified as 24-year-old Devin May, 21-year-old Quentin Thompson, 25-year-old Shania Thompson, 74-year-old Patricia May, and 49-year-old Cherie May.

Two other people sustained serious gunshot injuries during the attacks and are receiving medical treatment.

The father of the 15-year-old suspect, Marcus May, said he was devastated by the incident and revealed that warning signs had emerged days before the shooting.

According to him, the girl’s mother had informed him that their daughter had run away from home and allegedly stolen a firearm. He also claimed she had experienced repeated disciplinary problems at school, prompting both parents to withdraw her from school and begin homeschooling.

Marcus May said the decision angered his daughter, who had previously run away from home on several occasions and allegedly stolen her mother’s credit card.

He further disclosed that his former partner had warned him about disturbing conversations involving their daughter, her boyfriend and other teenagers in an online group chat where they allegedly discussed harming members of her family.

Despite the warnings, he admitted he did not believe the threats would be carried out.

According to the father, the girl’s grandmother, Patricia May, had contacted her granddaughter on the day of the attack, pleading with her to return home and assuring her that the family would help resolve her problems.

He also said he contacted the boyfriend’s parents to urge them to separate their son from his daughter.

Police had earlier received a missing person report after the girl’s mother informed authorities that her daughter had disappeared and that a firearm was missing from the home.

Investigators said the victims were found at different locations across East St. Louis. Shania Thompson was discovered inside a vehicle behind an abandoned property, while her brother, Quentin Thompson, was found nearby. The remaining three victims were located at the Samuel Gompers apartment complex.

The Illinois State Police described the incident as a targeted mass shooting.

State Police Director Brendan Kelly confirmed that both teenage suspects are in custody and that investigations are ongoing. Authorities said formal charges will be determined as the investigation progresses.

Two Teenagers Arrested After Five Family Members Killed in Illinois Mass Shooting