A 40-year-old Belleville man is jailed on serious felony charges after a Washington Park shooting last Monday that left a victim with life-threatening injuries. Police identified the suspect as Charles E. Little Jr., taken into custody after a multi-day investigation and held while prosecutors move the case into court.
St. Clair County prosecutors have charged 40-year-old Charles E. Little Jr. with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender after the case was presented to the county state's attorney on April 24, according to the Belleville News-Democrat. He is being held in the St. Clair County Jail pending an initial court appearance and a detention hearing.
Where the shooting happened
Washington Park police called in Illinois State Police after officers found a person suffering from multiple gunshot wounds near 47th Street and Caseyville Avenue. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to KMOV. Authorities have not publicly released additional information about the victim.
Investigation and arrest
The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Major Crimes Unit and the Public Safety Enforcement Group identified Little as a suspect and arrested him after what state police described as a "swift and thorough investigation," RiverBender reported. The arrest followed the initial response by Washington Park officers, who found the wounded victim at the scene, according to law enforcement.
Charges and next steps
Prosecutors have filed Class X felony counts in St. Clair County Court, a category that marks some of the most serious non-capital offenses in Illinois. Little remains in custody and is expected to appear in court for an initial hearing while prosecutors continue preparing the case, according to the Belleville News-Democrat.
What a Class X felony means in Illinois
Under Illinois law, Class X felonies typically carry prison terms of roughly six to 30 years, with extended terms possible if certain aggravating factors apply, per the Illinois Compiled Statutes. The potential penalties highlight how serious the charges are, although Little, like any defendant, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Regional policing context
The arrest comes as Illinois State Police continue a focused enforcement push in the Metro East. The agency announced a violent-crime suppression detail in early April that led to multiple arrests and firearms seizures, according to an ISP press release. Local officials say coordinated, multi-agency work like this is central to tackling shootings in the region. The case was first reported by AdVantageNews.
