Washington Park, IL Murder: 2 Arrested After 22-Year-Old Killed

Washington Park, IL – Two people are in custody on first-degree murder charges following an Illinois State Police investigation into the August shooting death of a 22-year-old East St. Louis man in Washington Park, authorities announced.

According to Illinois State Police, 18-year-old Brandon Bland Jr. of East St. Louis and 19-year-old Maliyah Lancaster of Washington Park were arrested Wednesday by ISP special agents. Both are charged with first-degree murder, while Lancaster also faces an unlawful possession of a weapon-machine gun/automatic weapon charge.

The investigation began after Washington Park police requested ISP assistance following a homicide at approximately 10:20 p.m. Aug. 1 in the 1500 block of North 46th Street.

Police said Eric Swearengen, 22, of East St. Louis, was stopped in a vehicle with a female passenger near 1422 North 46th Street when the shooting occurred.

Swearengen attempted to drive away after the gunfire but crashed about one block away at 1524 North 46th Street, according to ISP. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Bland was quickly identified as a suspect. The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office approved a first-degree murder charge against him Aug. 13. ISP said Lancaster was later identified as an additional suspect.

Both were arrested Wednesday, and prosecutors approved charges against Lancaster on Friday.

Bland and Lancaster remained in the St. Clair County Jail awaiting their first court appearances, according to state police.

The charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.