EAST ST. LOUIS, IL ( KPLR ) -
Three mothers of young children are murdered Saturday night at a gas station in East St. Louis. A suspect is in custody and charges are pending. The murders that took minutes to execute will leave life long scars. The gas station murders of three friends are devastating for relatives. Emogene McDaniel says her daughter, Jamaica, was targeted because the 24 year old broke up with the suspect.
Emogene McDaniel says, "She stopped dating him because he was abusive."
Jamaica's one and two year old sons were next to her in the back seat. Tanikia Harvey, 26, was driving. Her 8 year old son was in the hatchback. Raykel Gathing, 26, and her one year old son were passengers in the front.
Derek Brown, Gathing's brother, is stunned.
Brown says, "I'm torn apart on the inside, that's all I had that's my only sister. I don't' have no bothers just me and her. That's it."
Jamaica leaves behind two brothers. Their mother knew that Jamaica's four year relationship with the suspect was over. But she also felt that he wouldn't let go.
McDanial says. "The same day this happened, my daughter called me and said, she said everywhere we go we see Milton. She say he following me. I said come home."
The children in the car are the ones who suffer now. Raykel's one year old will have few memories of his mother.
Brown says, "Ten years from now I got explain this story to him. Where my mama."
Jamaica's two year is repeating what he saw.
McDaniel says. "He said my daddy got out that car with that gun and shot my mom. 2 year old my baby knows how to tell it."
Jamaica threw herself on to the boys to protect them once the suspect started shooting. But the oldest is still nervous after the violent encounter.
"That baby jump all night. Jumping? In his sleep. He just jump .he devastated."
George Harvey is still in a state of shock after his daughter, Tanikia Harvey, was killed Saturday night.
"My daughter didn't deserve to die like this. No one deserved to die like that," said Harvey.
All three of the women were close friends. Harvey, a 26-year-old mother, was shot once in the head in front of her 8-year-old son, Jared. Another bullet lodged in her back. Harvey hopes his grandson isn't left permanently scarred by what happened. The second grader at Miles D. Davis Elementary School gave police vital information that led to the shooter's capture, like a description of the car and the shooter.
Reaction from the community over the women's deaths has been one of shock and sadness. Elosie Taylor is a neighbor and friend of the Harvey's. She calls the shooting totally unexpected, and remembers Tanikia as a good person and an even better mom.
Taylor said her block will likely come together and do something to help the Harveys' out. They will be waiting a little longer until the initial shock wears off
The car the suspect was driving was located in St. Louis near Salisbury Street. The Illinois State's Attorney will review the case and determine what charges will be issued.
Emogene McDaniel says, "She stopped dating him because he was abusive."
Jamaica's one and two year old sons were next to her in the back seat. Tanikia Harvey, 26, was driving. Her 8 year old son was in the hatchback. Raykel Gathing, 26, and her one year old son were passengers in the front.
Derek Brown, Gathing's brother, is stunned.
Brown says, "I'm torn apart on the inside, that's all I had that's my only sister. I don't' have no bothers just me and her. That's it."
Jamaica leaves behind two brothers. Their mother knew that Jamaica's four year relationship with the suspect was over. But she also felt that he wouldn't let go.
McDanial says. "The same day this happened, my daughter called me and said, she said everywhere we go we see Milton. She say he following me. I said come home."
The children in the car are the ones who suffer now. Raykel's one year old will have few memories of his mother.
Brown says, "Ten years from now I got explain this story to him. Where my mama."
Jamaica's two year is repeating what he saw.
McDaniel says. "He said my daddy got out that car with that gun and shot my mom. 2 year old my baby knows how to tell it."
Jamaica threw herself on to the boys to protect them once the suspect started shooting. But the oldest is still nervous after the violent encounter.
"That baby jump all night. Jumping? In his sleep. He just jump .he devastated."
George Harvey is still in a state of shock after his daughter, Tanikia Harvey, was killed Saturday night.
"My daughter didn't deserve to die like this. No one deserved to die like that," said Harvey.
All three of the women were close friends. Harvey, a 26-year-old mother, was shot once in the head in front of her 8-year-old son, Jared. Another bullet lodged in her back. Harvey hopes his grandson isn't left permanently scarred by what happened. The second grader at Miles D. Davis Elementary School gave police vital information that led to the shooter's capture, like a description of the car and the shooter.
Reaction from the community over the women's deaths has been one of shock and sadness. Elosie Taylor is a neighbor and friend of the Harvey's. She calls the shooting totally unexpected, and remembers Tanikia as a good person and an even better mom.
Taylor said her block will likely come together and do something to help the Harveys' out. They will be waiting a little longer until the initial shock wears off
The car the suspect was driving was located in St. Louis near Salisbury Street. The Illinois State's Attorney will review the case and determine what charges will be issued.
