EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 19-year-old in the Metro East last October.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) announced Tuesday evening the arrest of Travione Willis, 37, of Belleville, Illinois. He faces one count of first-degree murder, which is a Class M felony, and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, which is a Class X felony.
On Dec. 4, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney formally filed the charges against Willis. On Dec. 19, the United States Marshals Service took Willis into custody in Belleville.
Agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to help with a homicide investigation involving multiple shooting victims. The incident happened shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, in the 500 block of Missouri Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois.
When responding officers with East St. Louis police arrived at the scene, they found one victim, Marshon Martin, 19, of East St. Louis, shot on a vacant parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two additional victims were transported to area hospitals where they were treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Willis is being held at the St. Clair County Jail.
No further information was released regarding the incident.
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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.
