Two teenagers were arrested following a miles-long shooting spree in southern Illinois that left five people from the same family dead, officials said Monday.
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Police and prosecutors declined to name the 16- and 15-year-old suspects, or even reveal their genders, a day after their capture in East St. Louis.
Authorities also left open exactly how the suspects are related to each other and to their alleged victims.
When asked if the suspects were related to the victims, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly told reporters on Sunday, “One of them is.”
State law enforcement officials said Sunday “there is a family connection” between the five slain East St. Louis residents.
“At least seven members of the targeted family were shot at multiple locations in the East St. Louis area, and as of right now, five victims have been confirmed deceased,” Kelly said.
The five dead 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 74-year-old May worked at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 1986 to 2011, according to the school.
The fatal shootings unfolded at three separate locations, within just a few miles of each other, officials said. A timeline of when exactly the shootings happened has not been provided.
One person was killed near Summit Avenue and North 39th Street; three were killed at the Samuel Gompers Homes; and one more was slain at Jones Park, where two others were also wounded.
“Largely, the Illinois Supreme Court rules limit what a prosecutor’s office is able to comment on, especially involving potential juveniles,” said Chris Allen, a spokesperson for the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.
