05/29/2025
𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬,𝐈𝐋
Updated:
Thursday May 29,2025
8:56 a.m.
𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭. 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬.
The shooting occurred around 12:15 p.m. near the Teens Against Killing Everywhere (TAKE) Center, located at 17th Street and Summit Avenue.
No one was injured in the incident, which took place just outside the TAKE Center, a facility committed to providing job training and violence prevention programs for youth.
According to East St. Louis Police Chief Kendall Perry, several shots were fired by four young males near the intersection of 17th and Summit. Officers responded quickly and located a vehicle matching the description of the suspects' car in the 1700 block of Gaty Avenue.
The suspect vehicle collided with a police squad car, and all four individuals inside attempted to flee on foot. They were soon apprehended by East Saint Louis police officers. A search of the vehicle revealed three assault rifles and a G***k handgun with an extended magazine. Two of the weapons were modified with illegal “switches” that convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons.
Chief Perry confirmed the suspects, all believed to be 17 or 18 years old, were taken into custody without further incident. Charges are still pending.
Jonathan Marchbanks, director of operations at the TAKE Center, said he was helping youth register for a summer employment program when the shooting began.
“I saw a gray car pull up, and someone in a mask was hanging out the window with a gun. Shots were fired, and I immediately worked to bring everyone outside into the building and started our active shooter protocol,” Marchbanks recalled. “There were several teens and small children out front. Thankfully, no one was hurt.”
Marchbanks expressed deep frustration with the ongoing violence, saying, “We focus every day on giving youth the tools to improve their lives, but far too many are choosing violence. I’m not afraid for myself, but I am heartbroken by what happened today.”
Vickie Kimmel, executive director of the TAKE Center, was in the hallway when she heard a gunshot. She ran to the entrance to bring children and others inside to safety.
“There were little kids outside, some no older than six,” she said. “Girls were hiding behind my truck. Everyone came into the hallway and we moved into a classroom away from the windows.”
Kimmel noted that surveillance footage and eyewitness descriptions helped police track the suspects just two blocks away.
“In 35 years, nothing like this has ever happened here. We’ve always been a safe space, and we want to keep it that way,” Kimmel said.
She expressed gratitude for the strong relationship the TAKE Center has with local law enforcement and praised the police for their swift response and the removal of four dangerous fi****ms from the community.
“I’ve helped bury over 200 young people,” Kimmel said. “Today could have ended in tragedy. I’m thankful no one was hit, but this is a heartbreaking reminder of how far things have spiraled out of control.”
Kimmel hopes those responsible are held fully accountable. “The violence is overwhelming. It has to stop.”
