Teenager charged with murder in shooting death of 16-year-old boy in Belleville
An East St. Louis teenager arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with the shooting death of a Belleville boy on Monday in the 100 block of North 81st Street in west Belleville was charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday.
Joseph Flagg, 17, faces the murder charge filed by St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric’s office.
Flagg was hit with a slew of additional charges in connection with the death of 16-year-old Di’Rico V. Washington, including first-degree murder in the commission of a forcible felony, unlawful sale or deliver of a firearm, attempt unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, unlawful possession of a handgun under 18 years old and unlawful delivery of cannabis.
Flagg is being held at the St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center pending further action from the court. He is under 18 but is being charged as an adult.
Belleville police said in a statement Tuesday that their preliminary findings indicate the shooting was over a transaction of cannabis and firearms.
The two adult suspects from St. Louis who were arrested by Belleville Police Tuesday were released pending further investigation and review, Belleville Police Capt. Todd Keilbach said Wednesday.
The shooting occurred about 5:30 p.m. Monday. When Belleville police officers arrived at the crime scene on North 81st Street, they found Washington suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Memorial Hospital in Belleville, where he was pronounced dead in the hospital’s emergency room.
Flagg, who turns 18 on Feb. 21, waived his right to a detention hearing.
This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM.
