Andre Chatman, a 21-year-old Black male from St. Louis, Missouri, was fatally shot on the evening of April 1, 2017. The incident, which also claimed the life of 39-year-old Wilbur Hall Jr. of East St. Louis, unfolded at a beauty salon located at the intersection of 9th Street and St. Louis Avenue in East St. Louis.
Police were dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:11 p.m. following a report of a double shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered two victims.
Andre Chatman was found deceased outside the salon in the parking lot, while Wilbur Hall was located inside the establishment. Both men had sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the chest. The salon was reportedly open for business at the time of the shooting.
In the days following the incident, law enforcement officials announced they were actively investigating the case as a double homicide. Initially, authorities stated they were seeking several 'persons of interest' but had not yet determined a motive for the killings. The investigation was a joint effort between the East St. Louis Police Department and the Illinois State Police.
A significant development in the case came less than a week later when authorities announced an arrest. On April 7, 2017, the St. Clair County State's Attorney's office charged 23-year-old Ike Larry Jr. of East St. Louis in connection with the deaths of Chatman and Hall. Larry was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The motive for the slayings was believed to be robbery and drug-related. A judge set his bond at $1.5 million.
