Teen charged with 1st-degree murder for deadly stabbing in clown outfit: Police

The 15-year-old has not been named by police.

August 7, 2026, 11:33 AM

An Illinois teen has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly committing a deadly stabbing attack while dressed in a clown outfit.

The 15-year-old is accused of killing 78-year-old John W. Allen in East St. Louis, Illinois, on Monday, according to state police.

Investigators have not released the name of the teen.

Allen was waiting at a bus stop when he was stabbed in an apparent random attack by a suspect wearing a clown outfit, the Illinois state police said.

Officers responded to a report of a body in the roadway around 10 p.m. local time on Monday and found Allen, police said. 

After investigators arrived on the scene, the teen suspect was quickly identified. He was later found at a residence and was taken into custody, according to police. 

The teen was formally charged on Thursday and he remained in custody.

A doorbell camera at a home nearby captured video of the alleged murder suspect dressed like a clown, according to ABC News Chicago station WLS.

State police said video of the suspect has been circulating online but would not authenticate video shared on social media.

It was not immediately clear if the teen has an attorney.

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