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15-Year-Old Charged With Murder After East St. Louis 'Clown' Doorbell Videos

The state's decision to seek adult prosecution raises legal stakes as investigators gather doorbell and surveillance footage to build the case.

15-year-old wearing clown costume taken into custody after body found in road: police (Screenshot from video courtesy of CNN Newsource via Laura Fleming/RING)
A 15-year-old was taken into custody after authorities found a body in a roadway in East St. Louis, Illinois. Investigators have not identified the victim or released a cause of death as the investigation continues. (LAURA FLEMING/RING/CNN/CNN Newsource/Laura Fleming/RING)
The teen was filmed on a Ring doorbell camera less than an hour before a man was found stabbed to death.
A 15-year-old was taken into custody after authorities found a body in a roadway in East St. Louis, Illinois. Investigators have not identified the victim or released a cause of death as the investigation continues. (LAURA FLEMING/RING/CNN/CNN Newsource/Laura Fleming/RING)

Overview

  • Authorities say a 15-year-old was taken into custody in connection with a homicide in East St. Louis after police found a body in the roadway on Monday and investigators quickly identified a juvenile suspect.
  • The victim was identified by the St. Clair County Coroner's Office as 78-year-old John Wesley Allen Sr., who died of multiple stab wounds, according to official findings.
  • Doorbell and other home-surveillance clips showing a person in a clown costume speaking into cameras circulated online and were timestamped about 45 to 60 minutes before the body was discovered, prompting officials to seek all available video.
  • Neighbors reported seeing a teen roaming the neighborhood with a large knife and lingering at multiple properties, but law enforcement says there is no ongoing threat to the public.
  • The 15-year-old was formally charged with first-degree murder on Thursday and the St. Clair County prosecutor has filed to try the juvenile as an adult while investigators continue to collect evidence and witness statements.