Full Breakdown
Teen Couple Charged in Targeted East St. Louis Family Shooting
7/15/2026, 6:48:47 AM
The Incident
On July 12, 2026, two teenagers—Ja'ymier Davis, 16, and an unnamed 15-year-old girl—were arrested after a series of shootings in East St. Louis, Illinois left five members of the same family dead and two others seriously wounded. The attacks occurred at three sites within a few miles of each other: the Samuel Gompers Homes public-housing complex, Jones Park, and a residence near North 39th Street and Summit Avenue. State police described the episode as a “targeted mass shooting.”
Timeline of the Shootings
- July 5-7 – Cherie L. May (49) was shot, according to charging documents, possibly a week before the other killings.
- July 11-12 – Patricia A. May (74) and Devin D. May (24) were shot at the Gompers complex; Shania W. Thompson (25) was killed near 39th & Summit; Quentin L. Thompson (21) died at Jones Park.
- July 12 – Human remains discovered at the Gompers complex; investigators identified the additional victims and located the two surviving victims at Jones Park.
- July 12 (afternoon) – Illinois State Police executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver in Frank Holten State Park, stopping the vehicle driven by one suspect and taking both teens into custody.
Victims and Casualties
- Patricia A. May, 74
- Cherie L. May, 49
- Devin D. May, 24
- Shania W. Thompson, 25
- Quentin L. Thompson, 21
The two surviving victims—Tiffany Thompson (the girl’s mother) and Santosha Scott (a cousin)—were transported to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
- Ja'ymier Davis is charged as an adult with five counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated vehicular hijacking, dismembering a human body, and unlawful use of a stolen firearm.
- The 15-year-old girl faces a juvenile delinquency petition that includes first-degree murder; the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office intends to petition for her transfer to adult criminal court.
- A hearing on Davis’s detention is scheduled for the following Wednesday.
Official Statements & Responses
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly emphasized that there is “no known threat to the public” and that investigators are coordinating with local agencies to determine motive and weapon acquisition. St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric approved the charges on July 14 and indicated the office will seek the girl’s adult-court transfer. Both officials stressed that the community’s recent gains in reducing violent crime should not be undone by this incident.
Criticism & Opposition
Marcus May, the girl’s father, expressed personal anguish and a lack of sympathy for his daughter’s actions, stating, “I can’t show her no sympathy. I hate to be like that, especially in this time. But it is what it is.” His comments highlight the tension between familial grief and public accountability.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Court filings suggest Cherie May may have been killed days before the other four victims, while early news releases treated the shootings as a single-day event. No motive has been disclosed, and authorities have not confirmed how the teenagers obtained the firearms used.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These alleged acts of horrific violence, taking this number of lives here in this community, it’s terrible, it’s evil, but it will not keep this city down,” — Brendan Kelly, Illinois State Police Director
- “I can’t show her no sympathy. I hate to be like that, especially in this time. But it is what it is,” — Marcus May, father of the 15-year-old suspect
- “These alleged acts of horrific violence, taking this number of lives here in this community, it’s terrible, it’s evil, but it will not keep this city down,” — Brendan Kelly, Illinois State Police Director (different release)
- “The investigation remains active, and additional information will be released as it becomes available,” — Brendan Kelly, Illinois State Police Director
The case remains under active investigation, with further court appearances and potential additional charges pending.
