Major Case Squad investigates slaying of 19-year-old near Cahokia

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated to investigate a homicide in the metro-east.

St. Clair County Sheriff Richard Watson said he requested the activation of the special investigative unit at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday. The victim of a gunshot was discovered in the 100 block of Amelia Drive. The location is in an unincorporated area of St. Clair County near Cahokia.

Watson identified the victim as Leroy D. Short, 19, of Cahokia. According to Watson, Short was alive when authorities arrived at 11:16 p.m. But the victim died a short time later in a St. Louis hospital.

GUEST BOOK: Express your condolences to the family of Leroy D. Short

Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle fleeing from the area at about the time of the shooting.

Cahokia School District 187 Superintendent Art Ryan said Wednesday morning that Short is a former student in the district.

He dropped out of school in January with plans to try to get a G.E.D. certificate instead of a traditional diploma. Ryan said, although Short was 19, he was still classified as a sophomore in the school system.

This is the second time the Major Case Squad has been called to the 100 block of Amelia Drive in the last six months.

On Nov. 9, Jermion D. Conley, 46, died when he was shot in a home invasion.

No other details about the case have been released as of Wednesday morning.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Major Case Squad at 618-825-5200.

Check back at BND.com for more information about this unfolding situation as it becomes available.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 6:41 AM with the headline "Major Case Squad investigates slaying of 19-year-old near Cahokia."