Two relatives were seriously wounded, and two teenage suspects were taken into custody after attacks at three locations.
EAST ST. LOUIS, IL — Five members of one family were killed and two others were seriously wounded Sunday in a series of shootings across East St. Louis that authorities described as a targeted mass shooting.
Illinois State Police said the attacks occurred at three locations: the Samuel Gompers Homes public housing complex, a residential area near 39th Street and Summit Avenue, and Jones Park. Two teenage suspects were taken into custody later Sunday, but authorities had not announced charges or disclosed a possible motive.
The St. Clair County coroner identified those killed 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 East St. Louis residents. Authorities did not publicly describe the specific relationships among the seven relatives.
Three victims were fatally shot at the Gompers complex in the 400 block of North Sixth Street, police said. Another person was killed near 39th Street and Summit Avenue. At Jones Park, one person was killed and two others were wounded.
The two surviving victims were taken to a hospital in St. Louis with serious injuries. Authorities did not release their names, ages or updated medical conditions Sunday.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said investigators believe the three crime scenes are connected. Although the violence occurred in separate parts of the city, police are treating the attacks as one targeted mass shooting involving members of the same family.
Kelly said investigators did not believe there was an ongoing danger to the public because the victims appeared to have been specifically targeted. He declined to discuss what may have led to the shootings or how the teenage suspects may have obtained firearms.
The suspects were arrested at Frank Holten State Recreation Area in East St. Louis, authorities said. Initial reports differed on their exact ages, with police accounts describing them as teenagers. Because they are juveniles and had not been formally charged, their identities were not released.
State police were working with the St. Clair County state’s attorney’s office as investigators gathered evidence from the three scenes. Authorities said charges were expected, but no charging decision or court schedule had been announced.
The investigation remained active Sunday night. Police had not released a detailed timeline of the attacks, identified a suspected motive or explained how the shootings at the three locations unfolded.
Author note: Last updated July 12, 2026.