EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — The Illinois State Police are still searching for a 25-year-old in connection to an 11-year-old boy shot by a stray bullet in East St. Louis in April.
Prosecutors have issued aggravated battery with a firearm and mob action charges against 25-year-old Breona McClain. She remained at large as of Thursday, ISP said.
The boy was shot shortly before 12:15 a.m. in the 1400 block of North 39th Street on April 14.
The boy was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Police did not release his identity.
A group of sisters sat on a porch in East St. Louis in despair while their little brother lay in a hospital bed paralyzed on Thursday.
Unlike the ones drawn on the outside with chalk, the hearts inside a brick house on North 39th Street were broken.
"My little brother sat there and said, 'Momma, I don't want to die,'" said Errica White.
Errica White's mind has been racing after a bullet flew through her family's home early Thursday morning and struck her 11-year-old brother.
"I mean who wouldn't have trouble sleeping? Their little brother just got shot not knowing that he might be paralyzed for the rest of his life," White said.
Police said at about 12:15, McClain and a 15-year-old girl came to the house and an argument with the boy's mother ensued over clothing the dup came to retrieve.
Officials added that the pair started shooting and a bullet went through the wall and hit the boy.
A number of children have suffered from gunshot wounds in the St. Louis Metro area. Some have died.
White told 5 On Your Side her brother loves football and was a gentle, and harmless kid who should not have been part of that statistic.
Gloria Hicks with the Community Lifeline Resource Center in East St. Louis, and a neighbor, was consoled the boy’s siblings and offered them information about victims’ compensation support.
"You can argue, live to see another day. Why paralyze a young child that hasn’t even enjoyed himself?” Hicks said.
The anti-violence advocate added that there was a better way to resolve things.
"Put the guns down, talk it over. It doesn’t make no sense for all this violence in the community," Hicks added.
Two suspects were picked up and arrested by the East St. Louis Housing Authority after a pursuit. A 15-year-old girl was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, and mob action.
Mob action charges were also filed against a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy. The older teen is also facing an aggravated battery with a firearm charge.
No additional information was released about the shooting.
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update information as it is confirmed.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to deescalate violent situations within their own communities.
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