Man now faces charges in 2021 metro-east shooting death, police say

An East St. Louis man has been charged in connection with the shooting death and armed robbery of a man over four years ago, Illinois State Police announced Tuesday.

Montel Harkins, 26, was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery in the death of Kaleb Davis, 27, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, according to a news release.

Illinois State Police special agents were called on June 5, 2021, to assist the East St. Louis Police Department regarding a homicide that occurred near 14th Street and Division Avenue.

Davis was found inside his car and pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities have said.

The investigation “revealed that Harkins allegedly tried to rob Davis at gunpoint when shots were fired, and Davis was fatally wounded,” the news release said.

The case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office on Monday.

Harkins is in custody in Oklahoma on an unrelated case and no additional information is available to be released, state police said.

This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 12:26 PM.