EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Police arrested four people accused of firing shots near an East St. Louis school and crashing into a squad car as officers responded.
East St. Louis Police Chief Kendall Perry tells FOX 2 the gunfire occurred Wednesday afternoon near North 17th Street and Summit Avenue, in the vicinity of one school.
Near the scene is the Teens Against Killing Everywhere (T.A.K.E.) Center, a long-standing community organization focused on empowering youth and promoting safety through education and community advocacy in East St. Louis.
According to Perry, as East St. Louis officers responded to reports of shots fired, they spotted a vehicle nearby in the 1700 block of Gaty Avenue. The driver collided with a squad car, and four occupants from the vehicle then attempted to run away.
Officers pursued and arrested all four suspects after a brief foot chase.
During the investigation, police found three assault rifles and one Glock with an extended magazine in the vehicle.
Preliminary findings connected the suspects with the initial gunfire. All four were then taken into custody and transported to the police department without further incident
Police have not disclosed the suspects’ ages or any potential charges at this time.