Boy charged with murder after man stabbed by suspect in clown costume

A teenager accused of dressing as a clown and stabbing a man to death in a random attack has been charged with murder.

Police said a man was randomly attacked at a bus stop in East St Louis, Illinois, US.

The body of 78-year-old John W Allen, who lived around 10 miles away in Jennings, Missouri, was found in the street on Monday.

Relatives of the alleged victim said they believe he had just got off the bus when he was stabbed to death.

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Video of the suspect showed him dressed in a clown costume, Illinois State Police said.

Doorbell footage shows the suspect walking through the neighbourhood carrying a large knife and approaching homes.

Outside one home, he says: "I have a gift for you."

Police added that the 15-year-old suspect was later arrested at a nearby home.

The teenager, whose name has not been released by the authorities, was charged with first-degree murder on Thursday.

He has remained in jail since his arrest, with the St Clair County State's Attorney's office saying it wants to prosecute the teen as an adult, meaning he could be given a longer sentence.

He appeared in juvenile court on Thursday and will be detained until at least his next hearing, prosecutors added.

Marie Stanford, Mr Allen's sister, paid tribute to the victim, saying: "He's the best brother that someone took away, and I'm going to miss him."

She added: "He said that he wasn't feeling good and he was going to the doctor. We always checked on each other."

Ms Stanford said: "He didn't know my brother. He just came up and randomly started stabbing him. That doesn't make sense."

Tenia Stanford, Mr Allen's niece, said: "My uncle has been driving buses for over 35 years and this is the first time ever something happened to him…getting off the bus."

She added: "And this was always his phrase, 'we do it out of love'."

The family believe Mr Allen, who was a naval veteran and retired bus driver was in East St Louis to visit relatives when the attack happened.

(c) Sky News 2026: Boy charged with murder after man stabbed by suspect in clown costume