ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – A juvenile has been charged with the shooting death of a Belleville teenager, who was fatally wounded Monday outside his home.
According to the Belleville Police Department, the shooting happened around 5:30 p.m. Monday on the 100 block of North 81st Street. When officers arrived, they found Dirico Washington suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Washington was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead. He was 16.
Joseph Flagg, 17, was arrested Tuesday afternoon and taken to the St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center. Two adults suspected of being involved in the shooting were arrested Tuesday evening across the river in St. Louis. They were taken to the St. Louis City Justice Center.
On Wednesday, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Flagg with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, one count of attempted unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 18, and unlawful delivery of cannabis.
Police said Washington and Flagg knew each other. Investigators believe the shooting was over a transaction involving cannabis and firearms.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no charges have been filed against the adults already in custody.