East St. Louis, Illinois — A targeted shooting spree that claimed the lives of five family members and left two others critically injured has shaken East St. Louis, with new details revealing a father’s desperate warnings about his teenage daughter’s alleged involvement in disturbing conversations and access to a firearm just days before the tragedy. Two teenagers — including the girl — have been arrested in connection with the attacks.

The victims, all related, were identified as Cherie L. May, 49; Devin D. May, 24; Patricia A. May, 74; Quentin L. Thompson, 21; and Shania W. Thompson, 25. The shootings occurred at multiple locations, including the Samuel Gompers Homes public housing complex, Jones Park, and a residence near 39th Street. Two additional family members were wounded and hospitalized.

Illinois State Police arrested a 15-year-old girl and her 16-year-old boyfriend, Ja’ymeir M. Davis, following the incidents. Davis faces multiple first-degree murder charges as an adult, along with other serious offenses. Prosecutors plan to seek to try the girl as an adult. One of the suspects is a daughter/sibling in the targeted family.

The girl’s father told reporters he received alarming warnings days earlier that his daughter had run away, taken a firearm, and was involved in conversations centered on harming family members. He says he never imagined the threats would escalate into such horrific violence. A phone call made hours before the shootings is also under scrutiny as investigators piece together the timeline.

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly described the attacks as “alleged acts of horrific violence” against one family, with no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains active.

This unimaginable loss has left the community in mourning, as relatives grapple with shock and grief while seeking answers about the motive behind the alleged plot.

Sources:

• Illinois State Police, Belleville News-Democrat, Newsweek, and local St. Louis-area reporting