By Benson Judge | Published: July 15, 2026
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Authorities in southern Illinois have charged two teenage relatives in connection with a devastating series of shootings that left five members of the same family dead and two others critically injured, a case that has shocked the East St. Louis community and prompted an extensive homicide investigation.
According to investigators, the shootings unfolded Sunday across three locations in East St. Louis, including Jones Park and the Samuel Gompers public housing complex. Prosecutors allege the attacks targeted members of the suspects’ own family, making the incident one of the region’s most disturbing cases of intra-family violence in recent years.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings, and a motive has not yet been publicly disclosed.
16-Year-Old Charged as an Adult
The primary defendant has been identified as Ja’ymeir Davis, 16, who has been formally charged as an adult in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
According to charging documents released by prosecutors, Davis faces:
- Five counts of first-degree murder
- Two counts of attempted first-degree 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
The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office said Davis was automatically prosecuted as an adult under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act, which excludes first-degree murder charges from juvenile court jurisdiction when the accused is 16 years of age or older.
Juvenile Co-Defendant Faces Transfer to Adult Court
Investigators have also accused a 15-year-old female relative of participating in the killings.
Because Illinois law protects the identities of juveniles under the age of 16 in delinquency proceedings, authorities have not released her name publicly.
She is currently facing first-degree murder allegations through a juvenile delinquency petition. Prosecutors have filed a motion requesting that her case be transferred to adult court, where they intend to pursue prosecution under Illinois law.
No plea information has been publicly released for either defendant.
Victims Identified
Authorities identified the five deceased family members as:
- Patricia May, 74
- Cheri May, 49
- Devin May, 24
- Shania Thompson, 25
- Quentin Thompson, 21
According to court filings, investigators believe Cheri May was killed sometime after July 5, while the remaining four victims died between July 11 and July 12.
Two additional family members survived the shootings but sustained critical injuries. Authorities have not publicly released their identities, citing the ongoing investigation.
Court Documents Detail Additional Allegations
Court records include allegations that one victim’s thumb was removed after death.
Those allegations form the basis for the charge of dismembering a human body filed against Davis.
As with all criminal proceedings, these allegations remain accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Community Left Searching for Answers
The scale of the violence has left residents and local officials struggling to comprehend what investigators describe as an attack involving members of the same family.
East St. Louis Councilman Courtney Hoffman II expressed disbelief following the arrests.
“It makes you wonder, what would make them do such a thing? That’s where I’m at with it. Like, why? What would be the reason?”
Authorities have not identified a motive, and investigators continue examining evidence collected from all three crime scenes.
Family Mourns an Unimaginable Loss
Relatives described the tragedy as an unimaginable act of violence that has permanently altered their family.
Miranda May, a cousin of one of the suspects, called the killings a “massacre.”
“It’s unfortunate what happened. There’s really a loss for words. Nobody can prepare for another family member massacring the rest of your family members.”
Marcus May, identified as the father of the 15-year-old suspect, said he lost his mother, sister and nephew in the attack.
Reflecting on the allegations against his daughter, he said:
“I can’t show her no sympathy. I hate to be like that, especially in this time. But it is what it is.”
Investigation Remains Active
Multiple law enforcement agencies continue processing forensic evidence while prosecutors prepare the criminal cases.
Officials have not announced a possible motive, nor have they disclosed whether additional arrests are anticipated. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact local law enforcement authorities.
Family Establishes Funeral Fund
In the wake of the tragedy, relatives have launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral and memorial expenses for the five victims.
As East St. Louis mourns the lives lost, community members continue to seek answers about the events that led to one of the area’s deadliest family tragedies, while the criminal justice process moves forward through the Illinois courts.