Cedric Montez Gooden, a 25-year-old African American male, was tragically murdered on September 23, 2019, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Known by his stage name "Cold Kase," Cedric was a local rapper who had garnered a following in his community. On the night of his death, Cedric was shot multiple times in the parking lot of the Mobil Gas Mart located at 8301 State Street.
He was pronounced dead at a hospital in Belleville.
The investigation into Cedric's murder led to the arrest of Teran Jeffries, a 32-year-old African American male. Jeffries was charged with first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon. The charging documents revealed that Jeffries had a 7.62 caliber semi-automatic firearm at the time of the shooting. Jeffries had a prior conviction for armed robbery in November 2014.
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police, and the St. Clair County State’s Attorney James A. Gomric filed the charges against Jeffries. Bond was set at $2.5 million, and Jeffries remains in custody at the St. Clair County Jail. The motive behind the shooting has not been disclosed by investigators.
Cedric's death was a significant loss to the East St. Louis community, where he was remembered not only for his music but also for his community activism. Friends and family mourned the loss of a young man who had not yet reached his full potential.
