East St. Louis, IL – Illinois State Police have taken a 15-year-old into custody in connection with a homicide investigation after a body was discovered Monday night in East St. Louis.
According to the Illinois State Police, Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) special agents responded after the East St. Louis Police Department requested assistance. Officers were called at approximately 10:02 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, to the area of 76th Street and State Street following reports of a body in the roadway.
Investigators said special agents arrived at the scene and quickly identified a juvenile suspect. The juvenile was later located at a residence and taken into custody without incident.
Illinois State Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Authorities also confirmed that video circulating online allegedly showing the suspect wearing a clown costume is being reviewed as part of the investigation. Detectives are working to collect all relevant surveillance footage and are asking anyone with additional video or information to come forward.
Anyone with information or surveillance video related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Illinois State Police at 618-806-7611 or by email at ISP.ZONE6COMMANDER@illinois.gov.
The investigation remains active, and no additional details about the victim or circumstances surrounding the homicide have been released.
Authorities emphasized that the filing of charges is not evidence of guilt. Any defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
