Police arrest man they believe shot and killed East St. Louis teenager
An East St. Louis man has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a teenager in October.
Devyon J. Smith, 26, faces one count of first-degree murder and one count of a felon in possession of a firearm in the alleged murder of a 17-year-old, according to a news release from Illinois State Police on Friday.
Police said the minor was shot and killed Friday, Oct. 18, near the parking lot between building seven and eight of the John DeShields Housing Complex in East St. Louis. The news release identified the victim as “C.E.” due to his minor status.
The Belleville News-Democrat reported in October on the same day and in the same location that Christopher Emerson, 17, was shot to death.
Police found Emerson dead on the ground after receiving a report of shots fired early in the morning hours.
A large crowd of residents gathered at the site. Some hugged one another and cried, including Emerson’s mother, who was overcome with emotion.
Smith’s bond has been set at $250,000 and he was being held at the East St. Louis Police Department on Friday.
Police said the investigation was conducted by the East St. Louis Police Department and Illinois State Police’s Division of Criminal Investigation — Zone 6.
This story was originally published January 24, 2020 at 2:32 PM.