15-year-old in clown costume arrested for slaying of elderly Illinois man

The juvenile, whose name has not been released because of his age, was arrested Monday night after investigators identified him as the suspect in the killing of 74-year-old John Wesley Allen Sr. Allen was found dead in the street in East St. Louis shortly after 10 pm with multiple stab wounds, according to police and the St. Clair County Coroner's Office.

The investigation intensified after disturbing Ring doorbell footage began to circulate on social media. The video, which was recorded at around 9:11 pm, shows a teenager apparently dressed as a clown approaching the security camera with wide eyes, looking directly into the camera and quietly saying, "I've been looking for you," before walking away from the porch and disappearing behind the house.

https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial/status/2085036900285337640

Illinois State Police later confirmed they were collecting all available video evidence, including footage of the suspect in the clown costume, as part of the homicide investigation.

"Video footage of the suspect dressed in a clown costume has been circulating, and ISP is currently working to collect all relevant video," ISP said in a statement.

Lee Palmer, whose camera caught the suspect, said his mother was alone when the video was captured and that she was home when the teen approached the house. Palmer told First Alert 4 the suspect lingered around the yard for some time before going to the backyard, leaving the family shaken.

"I couldn't believe it. He was dressed in the clown outfit," Palmer said. "That was kind of spooky for her."

Authorities have not released a possible motive or said whether the victim knew the suspect. Investigators also have not disclosed what, if any, connection existed between the teenager, the home shown in the Ring footage, and the victim.