EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Police have identified the homicide victim found dead on the front parking lot of an East St. Louis school Sunday.
Michael A. Moore was found outside Mason Clark Middle School. He was 13 years old.
Illinois State Police are investigating Michael’s death as a homicide. An autopsy is pending.
ISP investigators believe Michael was shot after 8 p.m. Saturday near Ridge Avenue and N. 57th Street, which is near the school. They think Michael was shot in an area on the street, not in a car or house. From there, they believe he ran away and ended up outside the school. They do not believe he was dropped off there, Illinois State Police officials confirmed to 5 On Your Side.
Investigators believe this was a targeted attack, and they are tracking down several leads.
On Monday, a memorial with photos and flowers was placed at the scene where Michael was found.
He was a student in the East St. Louis School District 189. He did not attend Mason Clark Middle School, a school district spokesperson confirmed. School officials haven't said which school he attended.
The East St. Louis school district released the following statement Monday morning:
'Today the East St. Louis School District is grieving the loss of one of our students, Michael Moore. We send our sincere condolences to the family as they cope with this tragic loss of a young life. We ask for respect and privacy as the police continue the investigation of his death and as the family works through this loss.'
The call came in at about 8 a.m. Sunday. Neighbors said when officers arrived they found the teen lying face down on the parking lot. Neighbors also said they saw several evidence markers at the scene.
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Additionally, neighbors said Sunday morning Illinois State Police officers canvassed the area near the school and found a book bag in a ditch. They said officers told them the bag belonged to the victim.
A GoFundMe page has been started to help the family with funeral costs.
Police are asking anyone with information that can help detectives with the homicide case to call Illinois State Police.
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