Dirico Washington was a 16-year-old student in East St. Louis School District 189 when he was shot multiple times outside his home on North 81st Street around 5:30 p.m. on February 3, 2025. Emergency responders took him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. His family described him as a gentle giant who played football, was a natural leader and protector, and had recently become a father of two. Neighbors remembered him playing basketball in driveways and called him a good kid.

Authorities opened an investigation and within days detained three people known to Washington: a juvenile and two adults. Police say the encounter is believed to have involved a dispute over cannabis and firearms. The juvenile was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon and will be transferred to the St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center; the two adults were arrested later that evening in St. Louis and are being held at the St. Louis City Justice Center. As of that evening, formal charges had not been filed while the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the matter.

Anyone who knew Dirico or who has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.