At Least Six People Injured in Shooting Incident in Illinois, US - Reports

Local media reported initially that up to 12 persons may have been shot as a result. A car incident involving a vehicle and a MetroLink train also occurred at the location, although it was unclear whether the crash was related to the shooting.

A mass shooting in East St. Louis late Thursday has drawn a large police presence to the scene, and at least six people have been hospitalized, local media reported.

According to the local NBC-affiliated KSDK network, the 500 block of Martin Luther King Drive is the location of the incident. Police reportedly initially received information about 12 injured people but officially six injuries have been confirmed so far.

At the moment, it is not known whether suspects have been detained, and what the motives were.

Video of the aftermath of the incident emerged on social networks, showing a wrecked car and a damaged tram.

#breaking in East St. Louis reports several people shot, metro train stopped and a crashed car. pic.twitter.com/uAtu1wzcf6

— Casey Nolen (@CaseyNolen) September 9, 2021

One emergency management source tells us six, possibly more people shot here in East St. Louis. pic.twitter.com/ncIKSRERKr

— Casey Nolen (@CaseyNolen) September 9, 2021

According to the local KMOV4 broadcaster, police are looking for at least three suspects, although the exact number of shooters is not known.

As of late Thursday, SWAT and police officers were reportedly still searching for suspects. A drone, a helicopter, and a plane were also used in the search.

The cause of the incident is alleged to be that the shooting suspects attempted to drive past the train at the crossing, and were then struck by the railroad car. A police investigation is ongoing.