East St. Louis teenager arrested in random clown-costumed stabbing death

A 15-year-old teenager has been arrested in East St. Louis, Illinois, for the premeditated murder of 78-year-old John Wesley Allen. The incident occurred on Monday, August 3, near a bus stop in a residential area east of Interstate 255.

Investigators believe the stabbing was a random attack, as no prior connection between the suspect and the victim has been established. Security footage captured a person wearing a red and black clown costume with part of their face covered. In one recording, the individual approached a camera and whispered, “Te estoy buscando” (“I am looking for you”).

Witnesses reported seeing a person in the costume carrying a large knife and looking into residential windows. Following the discovery of Allen's body, which had sustained multiple puncture wounds, police located and apprehended the minor within a local residence.