Major Case Squad makes six arrests in Belleville teen’s shooting death
Six persons of interest in the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy in Belleville are being held in the Belleville Police Department, police said Saturday.
Demauryon Smith, of Belleville, was able to speak to police before he died in a St. Louis hospital on Wednesday, police have said.
Matt Eiskant, deputy commander of the Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad, said two people were taken into custody on Friday and four on Saturday.
Eiskant, who is also the assistant Belleville police chief, said since the Major Case Squad was activated at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, about 20 officers from the region have been investigating numerous leads from residents who were on the scene.
Smith was shot at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 6300 block of West Washington Street on Belleville’s west side. Smith was first taken to Memorial Hospital in Belleville and then airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where he died.
“Probable cause existed for the arrests,” Eiskant said. “The six persons of interest are being held at the Belleville Police Department. The case has been submitted to the state’s attorney’s office for review.
“The Major Case Squad is still active,” he said.
On Thursday, Eiskant said, “Unlike many homicides we work, we were able to speak to the victim and were able to get vital information for the case.”
Eiskant also has said investigators think that Smith and the shooter knew each other.
Other details about the shooting have not been released.
