On February 22, 2025, between 6:15 PM and 7:00 PM, three related shooting incidents occurred in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, ultimately leading to the death of 15-year-old Charles Jones. The initial shooting took place at the intersection of Kenneth Avenue and Armand Drive, where a white Nissan Maxima approached two pedestrians - Donte Jackson and an unnamed 18-year-old. An exchange of gunfire occurred between the occupants of the Nissan and one of the pedestrians. During this exchange, Charles Jones, who was a backseat passenger in the Nissan, sustained a single gunshot wound and was later dropped off at a local hospital.
The violence continued when the Nissan's occupants traveled to the 100 block of Lazarcheff Drive, where a second shootout erupted between the vehicle's occupants and the same two pedestrians from the first incident. In this exchange, another 15-year-old passenger in the Nissan was shot but survived their injuries. A third shooting incident occurred at the same location on Lazarcheff Drive when the original group returned, this time in a stolen black Infiniti Q50. Though more gunfire was exchanged, no injuries were reported in the third incident.
Both vehicles involved in the shootings - the Nissan and the Infiniti - were later recovered and determined to have been stolen from St. Louis, Missouri. Several firearms were recovered during the investigation. Charles Jones succumbed to his injuries several days after the initial shooting. The Major Case Squad reported receiving over 60 leads in the investigation.
As a result of the investigation, three suspects were charged: Deontrez Mosley, age 18, was charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and two counts of Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; Xavier Lacey, age 19, was charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm; and Donte Jackson, age 21, was also charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.
