Man charged in East St. Louis drive-by shooting that killed 3-year-old boy

carolyn p. Smith
·2 min read

One of two children who were victims of a drive-by shooting in East St. Louis on Sunday has died, and a man has been charged in his slaying.

Joseph Lowe, 3, was pronounced dead at 4:09 a.m. June 19, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis said Tara Rick, a spokesperson for the St. Louis Medical Examiner’s office. An 11-year-old had been shot in the arm and survived.

Meanwhile, authorities charged Troy L. Cooper, 34, of Barbara Street, Cahokia Heights, with first-degree murder, aggravated battery and and unlawful use of a weapon, according to St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric’s office. He faces two counts on each charge.

Cooper is being held in St. Clair County Jail in lieu of $1.5 million dollars bail.

According to the charging documents, Cooper is accused of firing at a Nissan Altima car.

Ranadore Foggs, East St .Louis assistant chief of police, said police received a call at 12:20 a.m. Sunday reporting the drive-by shooting at 15th Street and Bond Avenue.

At the scene witnesses told police they heard multiple gunshots when the victims’ car was traveling on 15th Street and was struck by gunfire.

Police found the wounded children and an unidentified woman in the car, Foggs said.

East St. Louis police and Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group officers are investigating.

East St. Louis Police Chief Kendall Perry was happy officers and agents from the two law enforcement agencies were able to make an arrest.

“They did an outstanding job. I know this won’t bring the little boy back nor erase he pain and trauma the 11-year old is going through, but hopefully this arrest gives the family some closure,” Perry said.“We want the family to know we are praying for them and our hearts go out to them in these difficult hours.”

He said he wants criminals to know that officers are on the streets watching.

’’We have surveillance set up in different spots in the city,” the chief said. “We are not going to tolerate crime in the city of East St. Louis. Whoever commits a crime in East St. Louis should know we won’t stop looking for them until we find and arrest them.”