Early this morning tragedy struck Washington Park when its beloved mayor John Thornton was killed in what Washington Park police believe was an attempted robbery. Thornton’s son reportedly told police that the mayor was just leaving his second job around 5:45 a.m. when he was flagged down by a passerby near 47th and Caseyville.
The suspect reportedly fled in a red Chevrolet Impala with a white hood that was waiting nearby.
The mayor was taken to Kenneth Hall Hospital in East St. Louis where he died.
Someone driving a car matching the suspect vehicle description was stopped in the Roosevelt Housing Complex and was taken into custody. Investigators hope the driver will be able to help them track down the shooting suspect.
Investigators do not believe the mayor was targeted, but rather an unsuspecting victim of a botched attempted robbery.
“No matter where he goes in the Village of Washington Park, he always trying to help,” The mayor’s son, John Thornton, Jr., said. “If someone tried to stop him, you know, because he was well known person, they say hey you know, mayor how you doing. If they come and say hey mayor, you know, I’m hungry. He’d feed them. That’s just the type of guy that he was.”
Thornton is survived by his wife, six children and ten grandchildren. A vigil was held by the community this morning to honor his memory and his commitment to the area he served.
Information from Ksdk.com contributed to this report.
