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Summary: In Cahokia Heights, Illinois, on December 12, 2025, authorities discovered 67-year-old Bruce A. Mason fatally shot in a vehicle on Walnut Street. A subsequent search revealed 44-year-old Laniya Joyce White dead from head wounds in her nearby home. Police charged 54-year-old Shawn L. Williams with two counts of first-degree murder on December 17, citing targeted attacks among acquaintances. Families mourned the losses, urging community tips for justice..
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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. — Authorities Charge Belleville Resident in Targeted Double Killing
Police officials announced charges against a 54-year-old man in connection with the shooting deaths of two people described as acquaintances in this St. Clair County community.
Investigators from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis reported that officers with the Cahokia Heights Police Department responded to reports of gunfire shortly after 9 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 3900 block of Walnut Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Bruce A. Mason, 67, of Maryville, suffering from gunshot wounds inside a parked vehicle. Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead.
As part of the initial probe, authorities attempted to reach Laniya Joyce White, 44, a resident of the same block where Mason's vehicle was located. Police said Mason frequently parked there because of his connection to White. When efforts to contact her failed, detectives obtained a search warrant for her home. On the afternoon of Dec. 13, around 2 p.m., they entered the residence and found White deceased from apparent gunshot injuries to the head. Coroner's officials later confirmed both victims had been shot in the head, and the attacks appeared deliberate rather than random.
The Major Case Squad, activated to assist local law enforcement, assigned about 20 detectives to the case. They pursued more than 75 leads, including reviews of neighborhood surveillance footage. On Dec. 16, investigators took Shawn L. Williams, 54, of Signal Hill near Belleville, into custody as a person of interest. Prosecutors formally charged him the following day with two counts of first-degree murder. Williams remained held without bond at the St. Clair County Jail, with no immediate court appearance scheduled and no attorney listed in records.
Detectives emphasized the value of community input, urging anyone who interacted with the victims on Dec. 12 or noticed unusual activity in the area to share details, no matter how minor. Tips could be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers or directly to the squad.
Relatives of the victims expressed profound grief over the losses. Kelsey Mason, Bruce's daughter, remembered him as a dedicated veteran who cherished his roles as a father and grandfather, leaving a void in their family. Linda Oliver, White's aunt, described her niece as a devoted mother to three children, and the family sought closure through the pursuit of justice.
The incident marked at least the third time the Major Case Squad had been called to investigate homicides in Cahokia Heights this year, highlighting ongoing concerns about violent crime in the area. Authorities continued to process evidence and encouraged further public cooperation to strengthen the case.
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