Five members of the same family were killed Sunday in a series of shootings across East St. Louis, Illinois, prompting a multi-agency investigation led by the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement authorities, as reported by Fox 2 Now.

Illinois State Police confirmed that two juvenile suspects, ages 15 and 16, are in custody in connection with the killings.

Authorities initially reported earlier in the day that both suspects were 16 years old, but later clarified their ages in an updated statement.

Two teens arrested in targeted mass shooting that killed 5 family members in Illinois

Two teenagers, ages 15 and 16, were arrested Sunday at Holten State Park near East St Louis after a "targeted mass shooting" killed five members of the same family and wounded two others,… pic.twitter.com/n0DHDsQL70 — NewsTongue (@NewsTongueX) July 13, 2026

The two teens were arrested in Frank Holten State Park. Illinois State Police said they are seeking criminal charges through the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.

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According to investigators, the shootings occurred at multiple locations throughout East St. Louis.

One person was killed near the intersection of North 39th Street and Summit Avenue, while three additional victims were found dead at the Samuel Gompers Housing Development.

Another shooting occurred at Jones Park, located across the street from the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation.

Three people were shot there, with one victim later dying. The two surviving victims were transported to a hospital for treatment.

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Authorities identified the five people killed as Quentin L. Thompson, 21; Devin D. May, 24; Shania W. Thompson, 25; Cherie L. May, 49; and Patricia A. May, 74.

Illinois State Police also confirmed that one of the juvenile suspects is related to at least one of the victims.

Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shootings, though officials indicated that the investigation has begun to provide a clearer understanding of what occurred.

Kelly, speaking during a news conference, said the investigation remains active but emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the general public.

“We have Illinois State Police special agents, troopers, and officers from our local partners investigating those questions, and I think that will become apparent over time,” Kelly said.

While describing the violence as unprecedented for the area, Kelly stressed that the attacks should not define the city or overshadow recent progress within the community.

“It will not keep this city down. The progress we have made will not be lost as a result of these terrible acts of violence that have occurred in this community today,” he said.

Kelly also characterized the killings as “terrible” and “evil.”

Residents who live near the crime scenes said the violence came as a shock to a neighborhood they consider close-knit.

“This feels like something that would happen on ‘The First 48’, not right across from you,” Gompers Public Housing resident Keveon Johnson said.

Neighbor Samuel McClain Jr. said the shootings were unlike anything the community typically experiences.

“It’s a peaceful neighborhood, so when everybody got woke up and heard that a female was deceased, that’s a lot because we’re not used to it,” McClain said.

East St. Louis City Councilman Courtney Hoffman also urged residents not to view the incident as a random attack against the broader public.

“This is not a mass shooting where you have to worry about going to the grocery store and someone opening fire,” Hoffman said.

“This is a one-off in a sense, so it’s not something for the whole community to be afraid of.”

Neighbors described the Samuel Gompers Housing Development as a community where residents know one another and regularly look out for each other.

Johnson said the killings have had a profound impact on those who live there.

“We’re brothers and sisters,” Johnson said.

“I don’t like to see my women lose their lives. I don’t like to see anybody lose their lives, especially here. I see connection, brotherhood, and sisterhood. So, to see anything like this, it’s hard for me.”

Authorities have not released additional details regarding the relationship between the suspects and the victims or what investigators believe led to the series of shootings.

The Illinois State Police continues to work alongside local law enforcement agencies as the investigation proceeds.

Officials said the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office will review the case as investigators seek formal charges against the two juvenile suspects. The investigation remains ongoing.

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