Three arrested in connection with drive-by shooting death of Cahokia teen
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has arrested three people in connection with the shooting death of a 19-year-old Cahokia man.
Cahokia police found Dexter Byrd lying in the front yard of 339 Range Lane on Jan. 28 with an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died. It appeared as though the shooting was a drive-by, police said.
In a news release Sunday, the Major Case Squad said it had taken three “(persons) of interest” into custody and that it was actively looking for other suspects in the teen’s death.
“The three subjects whose identities (are) not being released at this point are being questioned concerning their knowledge or involvement in the death of Mr. Byrd,” Cahokia Police Capt. Dennis Plew, a deputy commander for the Major Case Squad, wrote in the release.
Plew said further information will be released as it becomes available and is confirmed.
The Illinois State Police is helping the Major Case Squad and Cahokia police in the investigation. The Major Case Squad said Saturday it was examining new evidence and video surveillance footage in the investigation.
Anyone with information concerning Byrd’s death can contact the Major Case Squad at 618-332-4248 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477.
Byrd, who had played for the Brooklyn Bulls basketball team for five years, was remembered by his coaches on Saturday as a youth who “lights up a room” whenever you would see him. He was expected to be a mentor for younger players for the upcoming season.
This story was originally published February 2, 2020 at 12:49 PM.
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