local
‘I love blood’: Officials reveal texts between teens accused of killing 5 family members
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· 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 Midland
This tragic incident, although occurring outside of Midland , serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of violent crime. The fact that the accused, Ja'ymier Davis, is being charged as an adult at just 16 years old, highlights the severity of the crimes committed. In Midland, where community safety is a top priority, such incidents can have a ripple effect, prompting residents to re-examine their own neighborhood's vulnerability to crime. The alleged actions of Davis and his co-defendant, a 15-year-old girl, have left a family devastated and a community shaken. As Midland continues to grow and develop, it is crucial for local law enforcement and community leaders to work together to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring, and to provide support to those affected by violence. The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of juvenile justice systems in addressing violent crime.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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