15-Year-Old Charged in Random Stabbing Death of 78-Year-Old Bus Driver
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Aug 7
15-Year-Old Charged in Random Stabbing Death of 78-Year-Old Bus Driver
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Aug 7
Summary
John Wesley Allen, 78, was likely heading to make one of his usual surprise visits to his sister when he was fatally stabbed Monday near an East St. Louis bus stop, his family said.
Illinois State Police say a 15-year-old boy in a clown costume carried out the random knife attack and that no prior connection is known between Allen and the suspect.
Allen’s family described him as a retired St. Louis bus driver who loved riding public transit and talking to strangers, despite relatives’ worries about him traveling alone.
Prosecutors are seeking to try the teen as an adult, while Allen’s sister said the family learned of his death from local TV reports and wants accountability for what she called a senseless killing.