A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder after an elderly man was allegedly killed by a suspect dressed in a clown outfit.
John Wesley Allen, 78, was randomly attacked at a bus stop in East St Louis, Illinois, according to the cops.
A 15-year-old suspect has now been charged with first-degree murder Credit: Facebook/ Lee Palmer
Doorbell footage appears to show the suspect walking through the neighborhood brandishing a large knife Credit: Facebook/ Lee Palmer
The pensioner, who lived some 10 miles away in Jennings, Missouri, was discovered in the street on Monday.
Relatives of the deceased man said they believed he had just got off the bus when he was attacked by the 15-year-old, who has not been named.
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Video of the suspect showed him dressed in a clown costume, Illinois State Police said.
Doorbell footage appears to show the suspect walking through the neighborhood brandishing a large knife and approaching homes.
The teen suspect appears dressed in a clown outfit Credit: Facebook/ Lee Palmer
The suspect was filmed walking up to a neighbor’s house, staring directly into the security camera, and whispering ‘I’ve been looking for you’ Credit: Facebook/ Lee Palmer
He can be heard saying: “I have a gift for you,” outside one of the properties.
The 15-year-old suspect was later arrested by cops at a nearby home.
The youth has been charged with first-degree murder.
He has remained in jail since he was arrested and the St Clair County State’s Attorney’s office said it wants to prosecute the teen as an adult, meaning he could be given a longer sentence.
He appeared in a juvenile court on Thursday and will be detained until at least his next hearing, according to prosecutors.
Mr Allen’s sister, Marie Stanford, paid a touching tribute to her brother, saying: “He’s the best brother that someone took away, and I’m going to miss him.”
She added: “He said that he wasn’t feeling good and he was going to the doctor. We always checked on each other.”
Ms Stanford said: “He didn’t know my brother. He just came up and randomly started stabbing him. That doesn’t make sense.”
Mr Allen’s niece, Tenia Stanford, has also paid tribute, saying: “My uncle has been driving buses for over 35 years, and this is the first time ever something happened to him… getting off the bus.”
She added: “And this was always his phrase, ‘we do it out of love’.”
The family of the naval veteran and retired bus driver believe he was in East St Louis visiting relatives when he was attacked.
He was described as a devoted family man and regular churchgoer and the youngest of six siblings.
Mr Allen was affectionately known as “Baby Boy,” according to a KSDK-TV report.
