CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
EXCLUSIVE: Police in St. Louis say two teenagers are in custody in connection with the shooting death of a former Saint Louis University volleyball player.
Previous story: Funeral held Thursday for slain Wheaton volleyball star
Police Chief Dan Isom announced the arrests of the two 18-year-olds Thursday evening. Isom would not describe their suspected roles in the death of 23-year-old Megan Boken said he was confident they were connected to the killing.
"Today we arrested two suspects for the homicide of Megan Boken. Both suspects are 18 years of age. We want to thank the community and witnesses for helping us solve this case," Isom said.
FOX Chicago News spoke exclusively with Megan's father, Paul Boken, who reacted to Thursday's arrest.
"I would like to say that we are gratified for the progress that has been made in the case to date. I would like to thank the St. Louis police department for their efforts and their work with keeping us informed with the progress on the case. I would also like to thank those people who tried to help Megan after the incident and tried to save her life."
A source told FOX Chicago News that the cops picked up the suspected gunmen and the getaway driver earlier today and that one of the suspects is a high school drop-out who was staying with a relative.
Boken was in St. Louis for an alumni volleyball game last Saturday when she was shot in the neck and chest while sitting in her car. Her funeral was held Thursday in Wheaton, Ill.
As she was laid to rest, detectives in Saint Louis narrowed in on two suspects they believe are responsible for fatally shooting the Wheaton native in broad daylight as she sat in her parked car near a St. Louis intersection.
St. Louis Police Chief Dan Islom says witnesses gave thorough descriptions of suspects leading to case breaking information.
"We will be presenting charges to the circuit attorneys office tomorrow but we are confident based on the evidence we have that we have the killers of Megan Boken in custody," Isom continued.
In Wheaton, heavy hearts mourned the loss of the bright-eyed volleyball star who touched so many lives on and off the court.
"She was a great kid. My daughter played volleyball with her at St. Louis and she was actually staying with her when all this happened," said Eric, a family friend of the Bokens.
The senselessness of Boken's death was the overwhelming sentiment that filled St. Michael Church as final farewells filled the parish where Boken attended grammar school. Condolences and prayers also filled a dedicated Facebook page while the City of St. Louis offered a public apology to the family who loss their loved one far too soon.
"There's nothing we can do as a city to replace their loss but we are very very sorry for that," commented Mayor Francis Slay of St. Louis.
Police also questioned a teenage girl who is not under arrest but is one of several people who police say provided information to help break this case.
New information indicates a call to or from a stolen cell phone may have led police to the suspects.
They were charged at 11 a.m. on Friday.
