Nationwide — Two teenagers are facing murder charges after five members of an unnamed 15-year-old girl’s family were killed in East St. Louis, Illinois. The shooting attack was allegedly connected to the teens’ relationship, which the girl’s relatives had opposed.
The suspects, 16-year-old Ja’ymeir Davis, who is being charged as an adult, and the 15-year-old girl, allegedly targeted her family members because they wanted to stay together despite the family’s concerns. Lamarion Smiley, a relative of the victims, said the teens wanted to get rid of anyone who disagreed with their relationship.
“They wanted to eliminate everybody that had a problem with the situation,” Smiley said, according to NBC Chicago.
The victims included the girl’s siblings, 25-year-old Shania Thompson and 21-year-old Quentin Thompson. Her grandmother, 74-year-old Patricia May, aunt, 49-year-old Cherie May, and cousin, 20-year-old Devin May, were also killed in the attack.
Family members said the teens had run away together multiple times before the shootings. Each time, relatives found the girl and brought her back home while trying to explain their concerns about the relationship.
“We let her know, like, you’re 15, you don’t know what love truly is yet,” Smiley said.
Police said the shootings took place at three locations in East St. Louis, including the Samuel Gompers complex, a home near 39th and Summit, and Jones Park. Officers later captured the two teens after a vehicle chase that ended at Frank Holten State Park.
Davis faces 12 criminal charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated battery, dismembering a human body, and vehicular hijacking. Prosecutors said he will be tried in adult criminal court because of his age.
The 15-year-old girl also faces first-degree murder charges. Prosecutors said they plan to ask that her case be transferred from juvenile court to adult court.
Investigators said the gun used in the shootings was stolen from the girl’s mother before the attack. They also said Patricia May’s thumb was cut off during the incident.
The 15-year-old girl’s father, Marcus May, said he struggles to understand the decision that led to the deaths. “I can’t show her no sympathy,” he said. “She chose to do this. No stipulation. Everybody had a choice.”