Man charged with murder in Cahokia Heights convenience store shooting
A man has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting last month at a Cahokia Heights convenience store.
St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric charged Justin N. Jones, 36, of Cahokia Heights, with first-degree murder in the death of DeShawn Bell, 35, of East St. Louis.
Jones was indicted by a St. Clair County grand jury on Friday. St. Clair County Public Defender Cathy MacElroy’s office is representing Jones. She declined to comment at this time.
The shooting happened Wednesday, May 13, at Crown Food Mart, 5839 Bond Ave., which is across the street from the police station.
Charging documents say Bell was shot multiple times. He was transported to Touchette Regional Hospital, where he was declared dead at 10:14 p.m., according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.
Jones also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm — a 9mm semi-automatic pistol — by a repeat felony offender. He was previously convicted of burglary in 2012 and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon in 2020, according to charging documents.
The Cahokia Heights Police Department investigated the fatal shooting. Jones was arrested and charged on May 15. He agreed to stay in jail until his trial, according to a May 20 detention order from St. Clair County Associate Judge Sara Rice.
His next court appearance is an arraignment on June 12.
