05/29/2025
๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ,๐๐
Updated:
Thursday May 29,2025
8:56 a.m.
๐
๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ. ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ.
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 โswitchesโ 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.
โI 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,โ Marchbanks recalled. โThere were several teens and small children out front. Thankfully, no one was hurt.โ
Marchbanks expressed deep frustration with the ongoing violence, saying, โWe focus every day on giving youth the tools to improve their lives, but far too many are choosing violence. Iโm not afraid for myself, but I am heartbroken by what happened today.โ
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.
โThere were little kids outside, some no older than six,โ she said. โGirls were hiding behind my truck. Everyone came into the hallway and we moved into a classroom away from the windows.โ
Kimmel noted that surveillance footage and eyewitness descriptions helped police track the suspects just two blocks away.
โIn 35 years, nothing like this has ever happened here. Weโve always been a safe space, and we want to keep it that way,โ 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.
โIโve helped bury over 200 young people,โ Kimmel said. โToday could have ended in tragedy. Iโm thankful no one was hit, but this is a heartbreaking reminder of how far things have spiraled out of control.โ
Kimmel hopes those responsible are held fully accountable. โThe violence is overwhelming. It has to stop.โ
