An Illinois family was left shattered after five relatives were killed and two others wounded in what authorities describe as a calculated attack allegedly carried out by two teenagers who wanted to be together despite their family's opposition.
Illinois State Police arrested 16-year-old Ja'Ymier Davis and his 15-year-old girlfriend in connection with the homicides of five family members. The shootings occurred across three different locations in East St. Louis on Sunday, authorities said.
Background
The victims were all relatives of the female suspect, according to investigators. Among those killed were Cherie May, 49, found at the Samuel Gompers Homes apartment complex; Shania Thompson, 25; Devin May, 24; Quentin Thompson, 21; and Patricia May, 74, the family matriarch and the girl's grandmother.
Family members told KSDK that the teenage suspects had been in a romantic relationship that their relatives strongly opposed. Lamarion Smiley, who is married to survivor Santosha Scott, said the girl had run away with Davis multiple times before the killings, and her family would bring her back home each time.
Smiley told KSDK that he learned through social media that the couple had allegedly made a "list" of targets before the shooting spree. "So, we were aware, we just didn't know when," Smiley said.
Cherie May was likely killed days before she was discovered on Sunday, according to court documents cited by WBBM. Investigators said Patricia May, the family matriarch, was allegedly killed by Davis, who also dismembered her body by cutting off her thumb.
The Investigation
According to police, the violence began after the girl allegedly took her mother's firearm from a secured lockbox using her mother's keys. When family members picked up the girl and Davis from a bus stop, they had already allegedly killed three relatives, authorities said.
The third and final shooting occurred at Jones Park in East St. Louis, where Davis and the girl allegedly opened fire on Tiffany Thompson—the girl's mother—and several other family members, including victims Quentin Thompson and Shania Thompson, who were her siblings. Tiffany Thompson was also injured and hospitalized.
Davis has been charged as an adult with five counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and one count each of aggravated vehicular hijacking, dismembering a human body, and unlawful use of a stolen firearm. He is being held without bond at the St. Clair County Jail after appearing in court on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old girl remains in juvenile custody. The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office indicated plans to charge her as an adult.
Key Takeaways
- Five family members were killed and two others wounded across three crime scenes in East St. Louis, Illinois
- The accused teens, ages 15 and 16, were in a romantic relationship that their family opposed
- Family members told investigators the suspects allegedly made a target list on Instagram before the killings
- Davis has been charged as an adult with five counts of first-degree murder and additional charges including dismembering a human body
- Prosecutors plan to charge the girl as an adult; she currently remains in juvenile custody
What's Next
Davis is being held at the St. Clair County Jail without bond. Authorities have not yet disclosed his next scheduled court appearance. The investigation into the shootings remains ongoing, and prosecutors are expected to pursue adult charges against the teenage girl.