Dionna Samuel dies in fatal East St. Louis shooting

Dionna Samuel dies in fatal East St. Louis shooting

Fatal East St. Louis shooting death of Dionna Samuel – Obituary.

Dionna Samuel, 23, was tragically killed while working at an East St. Louis McDonald’s on Monday evening. The incident occurred at the drive-thru window of the restaurant on North 24th Street around 7:30 p.m., leaving her family and the community devastated.

Samuel’s mother, Angelia Johnson, shared her heartbreak, stating that her daughter had just begun her shift before the tragedy unfolded. “The next time I see her will be at a funeral home. No goodbyes,” Johnson said. Samuel had worked at McDonald’s for seven years, juggling shifts at the fast-food restaurant in the evenings while maintaining a daytime job at a local bank.

The community was celebrating a state football championship nearby on Wednesday when Samuel’s grieving family gathered outside the restaurant, which remains closed. Johnson believes her daughter was not the intended target of the gunfire but was caught in a senseless act of violence. “She didn’t deserve this. She was just doing her job,” Johnson said.

This is the second fatal shooting at this McDonald’s location this year, raising concerns about safety in the area. East St. Louis City Councilman Ryan Cason pledged to increase security measures, including additional police patrols and discussions with business owners to enhance safety protocols. “These tragedies shouldn’t happen, and we are committed to finding solutions,” Cason stated.

As Illinois State Police continue their investigation in collaboration with local authorities, no arrests have been made. Samuel’s family is pleading for justice and struggling to cope with their loss. “She was always smiling and brought joy to those around her. That’s how I want her to be remembered,” her mother said.