Illinois State Police Arrest Fairview Heights Man On Murder Charge In Fatal East St. Louis Shooting

Police said 21-year-old Evan M. Spencer was charged after investigators linked him to the shooting death of 28-year-old Demonta L. Hunter of Belleville.

Aug 3, 2026 7:11 PM

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Evan M. Spencer.

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS/BELLEVILLE - Illinois State Police special agents arrested a 21-year-old Fairview Heights man on a first-degree murder charge after investigating the fatal shooting of a Belleville man found early Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in East St. Louis, authorities said.

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Evan M. Spencer was arrested in connection with the death of 28-year-old Demonta L. Hunter, according to Illinois State Police. The agency said East St. Louis police responded at about 5:21 a.m. Aug. 2, 2026, to the intersection of 24th Street and Missouri Avenue for a report of an injured person.

Police found Hunter had been shot multiple times inside a vehicle and pushed onto the roadway, according to state police. ISP special agents then arrived at the scene and continued the investigation.

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With assistance from the Sauget Police Department, Cahokia Heights Police Department and East St. Louis Police Department, ISP special agents identified and arrested Spencer, state police said.

On Aug. 3, 2026, the case was presented to St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric, and the first-degree murder charge was filed, according to state police. Spencer was in custody when the charge was issued.

No further information was available.

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

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