Illinois State Police Arrest Swansea Woman In East St. Louis Killing

A 23-year-old Swansea woman now faces a first-degree murder charge after investigators linked her to a fatal shooting at an East St. Louis intersection.

Jun 5, 2026 3:59 PM Jun 5, 2026 4:03 PM

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Brion D. Bess.

SWANSEA - Illinois State Police arrested a 23-year-old Swansea woman on a first-degree murder charge Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old St. Louis woman at an East St. Louis intersection earlier this week.

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The arrest of Brion D. Bess was announced on Friday, June 5, 2026, by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Public Safety Enforcement Group. Authorities said the case stems from a Wednesday, June 3, 2026, homicide investigation at the intersection of 25th Street and Ridge Avenue in East St. Louis.

According to the Illinois State Police, Ni’kajha A.K. Johnson, 24, of St. Louis, Mo., was shot inside her vehicle while stopped at a stop sign. Johnson was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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State police said the East St. Louis Police Department requested assistance from ISP on June 3, 2026.

“After a thorough investigation, with the assistance of the East St. Louis Police Department, ISP PSEG Special Agents identified Bess as the suspect,” ISP said.

On Friday, June 5, 2026, Illinois State Police presented the case to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, which charged Bess with first-degree murder, a Class M felony, according to the release.

Bess is being held at the St. Clair County Jail pending her first court appearance. State police said there is no further information.

The charge is not evidence against the defendant, and Bess is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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