Major Case Squad activated to investigate metro-east shooting death

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated to investigate the shooting death of a Cahokia Heights man late Tuesday night.

Lakarlo D. Williams, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene near 5895 Mitchell Lane in Cahokia Heights. He was found after Cahokia Heights Police received the report of a shooting in the area at about 10:09 p.m., according to a release.

Twelve investigators from the Major Case Squad are working leads to identify the person responsible for “this heinous crime,” the release says.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Case Squad at 618-332-4277. No other information has been released.

This is the fifth time the Major Case Squad has been activated this year in Cahokia Heights, which is the most of any community in the St. Louis metropolitan area in 2024, according to a Belleville News-Democrat review of the statements the squad released via social media. The Major Case Squad issues news releases only through X, which used to be known as Twitter.

The Major Case Squad also was called for a homicide in September in the 2400 block of Renois Lane near Cahokia Heights in unincorporated St. Clair County.

Overall, there have been 12 people killed in Cahokia Heights this year, according to reports published in the BND.

This story was originally published October 23, 2024 at 9:32 AM.