local
‘I love blood’: Officials reveal texts between teens accused of killing 5 family members
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 17, 2026
· 4 min read
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (KMOV/Gray News) – One of the teens accused of killing five people and injuring two others in a mass shooting in East St. Louis appeared in court for the first time on those charges.At 16 years old, Ja’ymier Davis is facing 12 charges as an adult, including five counts of fir...
Key takeaway The timelineAccording to the State’s Attorney, WT’s aunt, Cherie May, 49, was killed on July 5.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
This horrific crime in East St. Louis has no direct connection to Atlanta , but it raises questions about the effectiveness of juvenile justice systems nationwide, including in Fulton County. The fact that a 15-year-old girl faces charges in juvenile court, while a 16-year-old is charged as an adult, highlights the complexities of handling violent crimes committed by minors. In Atlanta, similar cases have sparked debates about the need for more resources to address youth violence and prevent such tragedies. The city's own experiences with gun violence and gang activity underscore the importance of proactive measures to support at-risk youth and intervene early to prevent escalation. As this case unfolds, Atlantans may wonder what strategies local authorities are employing to identify and support troubled teenagers before they commit violent acts, and whether more can be done to break the cycle of violence in their own communities.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (KMOV/Gray News) – One of the teens accused of killing five people and injuring two others in a mass shooting in East St. Louis appeared in court for the first time on those charges.At 16 years old, Ja’ymier Davis is facing 12 charges as an adult, including five counts of fir...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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