Story perspectives

GoFundMe Raises $3K for Victims After Teens Captured

7/15/2026

Left

Police Stop Teens

A GoFundMe campaign has collected nearly $3,000 of its $6,000 goal to fund funerals and aid the victims’ surviving daughter.
Police stopped the teenage suspects on July 12 using a precision-immobilization technique and said no public threat remains.
The victims included a retired Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville employee, an aspiring chef, and an artist.
Counseling and emotional support are needed for the family to begin healing from trauma.

Right

Police Stop Teens

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly called the killings evil but said they will not stop East St. Louis’s progress.
Five family members were killed and two injured in shootings at three East St. Louis sites; two teenage suspects remain detained.
Police stopped suspects on July 12 using a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) during a traffic stop.
The victims were Patricia May 74, Cherie May 49, Devin May 24, Shania Thompson 25, and Quentin Thompson 21.

Center

Davis Charged

Ja'ymier Davis, 16, faces adult charges of five first-degree murders, attempted murder, aggravated battery, hijacking, dismemberment and illegal firearm use.
Two teenagers were arrested and charged after a multi-site family shooting killed five people in East St. Louis, Illinois.
The killings occurred at Samuel Gompers housing, Jones Park, and a 39th Street-Summit Avenue residence.
Police halted the suspects on July 12 using a precision-immobilization technique and reported no public threat.

Blindspot

Left coverage gave less weight to the extensive criminal charges against the 16-year-old suspect, including dismembering a body, vehicular hijacking and unlawful use of a stolen firearm.
Right coverage gave less weight to those detailed charges, focusing instead on victim identities and community response.

History

Historical Context

On April 20 1999, Columbine High School seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 students and a teacher and wounded 23 before committing suicide, prompting the IARD police tactic and a wave of copycat attacks cited in over 70 subsequent incidents. Today's East St. Louis shootings echo that pattern, reviving community fundraising and renewed calls for tighter gun controls.

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Police Stop Teens

A GoFundMe campaign has collected nearly $3,000 of its $6,000 goal to fund funerals and aid the victims’ surviving daughter.
Police stopped the teenage suspects on July 12 using a precision-immobilization technique and said no public threat remains.
The victims included a retired Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville employee, an aspiring chef, and an artist.
Counseling and emotional support are needed for the family to begin healing from trauma.

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