Medical examiner IDs Belleville woman as McDonald’s homicide victim
The St. Louis Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim in a fatal shooting at the McDonald’s restaurant in East St. Louis.
Dionna Samuel, 23, of Belleville, was pronounced deceased at Saint Louis University Hospital at 8:08 p.m. Monday, according to Tara Rick, director of operations for the St. Louis Medical Examiner’s Office.
Illinois State Police said the shooting occurred about 7:36 p.m. Monday in the restaurant at 588 N. 24th St. The drive-thru window at the restaurant remained boarded up Wednesday morning.
The victim was shot multiple times, police said. No other details have been released by Illinois State Police, which is handling the investigation at the request of the East St. Louis Police Department.
No arrests have been announced in this homicide, which is the second one at the McDonald’s at the intersection of 25th and State streets this year.
In May, 22-year-old Traveon L. Brown of Cahokia Heights was killed in a shooting at the McDonald’s at the intersection of 25th and State streets.
Illinois State Police said Wednesday that no arrests have been made in connection with Brown’s death.
Samuel’s death on Monday night marks the 14th homicide in East St. Louis this year based on reports in the Belleville News-Democrat.
A GoFundMe page was established for Samuel’s family to help pay for her funeral but on Thursday the page stated that it was no longer accepting donations.
The page notes that Samuel was an employee of McDonald’s.
“Dionna was a very smart and lovable person; she did not deserve any of this,” the GoFundMe page states. “Nobody deserves to have to bury their child so suddenly because of gun violence. She touched a lot of people and made so many bonds while working for the McDonald’s company. She made sure everyone was doing their job the right way but also made sure everyone was comfortable and happy.
“We love you, Dionna, and we will never ever forget you.”
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 1:25 PM.
