Crime
16-Year-Old Ja’ymeir Davis and 15-year-old Wynitta Thompson Charged After Five Family Members Killed in East St. Louis Shooting Spree
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A 16-year-old suspect has been formally charged as an adult in connection with a devastating series of shootings that claimed the lives of five members of the same family and left two others seriously wounded in East St. Louis, Illinois.
The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office announced that Ja’ymeir Davis, 16, is facing multiple felony charges after prosecutors filed a criminal complaint and obtained an arrest warrant on July 14, 2026.
Under Illinois law, Davis was automatically charged in adult criminal court through the Juvenile Court Act’s excluded-jurisdiction provision, which requires defendants aged 16 or older accused of first-degree murder to be prosecuted as adults.
Prosecutors said they intend to seek pretrial detention at the earliest opportunity.
According to court records, Davis has been charged with:
- Five counts of First-Degree Murder
- Two counts of Attempted Murder
- Two counts of Aggravated Battery
- One count of Dismembering a Human Body
- One count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
- One count of Unlawful Use of a Stolen Firearm
Officials have not released additional details regarding the specific allegations supporting each charge, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.
Authorities also identified a second suspect as 15-year-old Wynitta Thompson, who is currently facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, through a juvenile delinquency petition.
The State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed prosecutors are seeking to have Thompson’s case transferred from juvenile court to adult court, where she could face prosecution under Illinois criminal law if the request is approved.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Illinois State Police and assisting agencies,” the State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
Officials added they will not release further details about the facts of the case while the investigation and prosecution remain active.
The deadly violence unfolded on Sunday, July 12, when Illinois State Police responded to multiple shooting scenes throughout East St. Louis.
Investigators said the attacks occurred at three separate locations:
- Near 39th Street and Summit Avenue
- At the Samuel Gompers Homes in the 400 block of North 6th Street
- Jones Park in the 2500 block of Argonne Drive
Authorities have described the shootings as a targeted attack against members of the same family.
Officials identified the five victims killed in the shootings as:
- Patricia A. May, 74
- Cherie L. May, 49
- Devin D. May, 24
- Shania W. Thompson, 25
- Quentin L. Thompson, 21
Two additional family members survived the attacks but suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized.
Investigators said two teenage suspects, ages 15 and 16, were located and arrested at Frank Holten State Park following an intensive law enforcement search.
Authorities said officers used a PIT maneuver to stop a vehicle allegedly driven by one of the suspects before both teenagers were taken into custody without further incident.
Law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shootings but previously stated the violence appears to have specifically targeted members of the family. Investigators also emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Illinois State Police continue to lead the investigation in coordination with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office and other assisting agencies.
Officials have indicated additional evidence is still being reviewed, and further charges or court proceedings may follow as the case moves through the criminal justice system.
All criminal charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — A 23-year-old man from Riverton has died following a shooting at a rural property in Cherokee County, Kansas, and his 19-year-old brother has been booked into jail on a second-degree murder allegation, according to information released by authorities.
The victim was identified as Gannon Reece, 23, of Riverton, Kansas. The suspect was identified as Joshua Wilson, 19, also of Riverton, who is the victim’s brother.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Formal charges are expected to be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said the Cherokee County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call on October 23, 2026, reporting that a person had been shot at 4971 SE 67th, in a rural area of Cherokee County.
Deputies were dispatched to the location to investigate the reported shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel examined the victim and determined that he had died.
The suspect, who authorities later identified as Joshua Wilson, was still at the scene when deputies arrived. Officers immediately detained him as the investigation began.
Authorities subsequently identified the deceased man as Gannon Reece and confirmed that Wilson was his younger brother.
Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail in connection with Reece’s death on suspicion of second-degree murder.
According to the information provided by authorities, formal charges will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office. The available information does not specify whether prosecutors have formally filed the charges in court or whether Wilson has appeared before a judge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting.
No details have been released about what preceded the incident, whether an argument occurred, or what may have motivated the shooting. Authorities have not provided information about a possible firearm recovery or any other evidence beyond the initial circumstances described in the report.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding Reece’s death and gather evidence relevant to the case.
Authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials also announced a temporary road closure affecting SE Lostine between Highway 69A and SE 60th.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes until further notice while the closure remained in effect. The information provided did not specify when the roadway would reopen.
Drivers traveling through the area were encouraged to follow local traffic instructions and allow additional time for their journeys.
The fatal shooting has resulted in the death of a young Riverton resident and the arrest of his 19-year-old brother.
While authorities have identified both men and disclosed the booking allegation, several details remain unknown, including the events leading up to the shooting and the formal status of the prosecution.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Cherokee County Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.
Joshua Wilson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.