Two teens are in custody after what authorities described as a "targeted mass shooting" left five family members dead and two others seriously injured at multiple locations across East St. Louis, Illinois.
Officials said at least seven family members were shot at three separate locations in the East St. Louis area, all within a few miles of each other.
Three victims were fatally shot at the Samuel Gompers Homes public housing project on North 6th Street. Another victim was killed in Jones Park, while a fifth victim was fatally shot near the corner of 39th Street and Summit Avenue. Two other individuals were also shot at Jones Park and were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries; their current conditions were not immediately known.
Police identified the deceased as Patricia May, 74; Cherie May, 49; Shania Thompson, 25; Devin May, 24; and Quentin Thompson, 21. The identities of the other two victims who survived the shooting have not yet been disclosed.
Kelly said one of the teenage suspects was related to at least one of the victims. No additional details about what may have led up to the shooting, including a possible motive, have been released. However, Kelly said the quintuple homicide was targeted and that there was no known ongoing threat to the public at this time.
"This isn't an active shooter situation," he said. "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."
Kelly did not say whether any guns were recovered at the time of the suspects' arrest but said detectives are still working to determine how the teens allegedly obtained access to weapons. The suspects have not yet been charged in connection with the crimes. However, Kelly said officials have been in close contact with the state's attorney's office and plan to seek charges as the case moves forward.
"The investigation remains active, and additional information will be released as it becomes available," he said.
Anyone with information about the shootings can contact the Illinois State Police or the East St. Louis Police Department directly.