Left inset: Jerome Curry (St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Terrence Curry (Spotfund). Background: The 4900 block of Piggot Avenue in St. Clair County, Ill., where Jerome Curry allegedly shot and killed his brother Terrence Curry at a home on night before Thanksgiving (Google Maps).
A tragic incident unfolded in Illinois the night before Thanksgiving, as a man allegedly shot his brother following a dispute, according to their mother. Authorities say he also wounded a woman and later took a family hostage at a separate location.
Jerome Curry, 38, now faces charges of murder and attempted murder, among other offenses, stemming from the events of Wednesday night. His arrest followed the resolution of the alleged hostage situation, as reported by local NBC affiliate KSDK.
The fatal shooting of Curry’s brother, Terrence Curry, took place inside a home on the 4900 block of Piggot Avenue in St. Clair County. Meanwhile, the hostage drama unfolded at a different residence located on the 2200 block of Birmingham Drive, approximately three miles away.
Police in Cahokia Heights responded to the scene of the shooting where Terrence Curry was killed, following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman with gunshot injuries hiding behind a car in the street, who informed them about the situation, as KSDK indicates.
Witnesses recounted to officers that Jerome Curry had “shot his brother” before fleeing the scene in a vehicle, according to a report by local Fox affiliate KTVI. Roughly 30 minutes later, the Shiloh Police Department identified a vehicle matching the description and pursued it to the Birmingham Drive residence, where the hostage situation was taking place.
Upon arrival, authorities found Jerome Curry inside the home, reportedly holding a family at gunpoint. Negotiators successfully convinced him to release the hostages and surrender peacefully to law enforcement, according to KTVI.
The brothers’ mother, Valerie Curry, posted about what allegedly happened on Facebook and recounted the moments before Terrence Curry — whom she tagged in multiple posts, along with his brother — was killed.
“Terrence Curry loved you more than you loved yourself and didn’t deserve what happened to him,” wrote Valerie Curry. “He whooped your A— that day because you came over tripping real bad, but instead of taking that whooping you decided to shoot him.”
The grieving mother called out her living son, asking “how did this happen to you?” while also saying she was cutting him out of her life.
“You were talented, smart, had gifted hands, could fix anything,” Valerie Curry said about Jerome Curry. “But within the last few weeks you started worshipping demons, telling the world you were adopted and turned on your family in the worst way. Terrence Curry loved you more than you loved yourself and didn’t deserve what happened to him.”
Valerie Curry added, “Just know as a consequence of your actions, there will be no jail/prison visits, no letters, no JPay deposits, NOTHING!! I have mentally removed you from the lineage. Coward, a punk a— coward.”
In addition to murder and attempted murder, online court records show that Jerome Curry is also charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated battery, and possessing a weapon as a previously convicted felon. He is due in court on Monday.
“Terrence Curry I am so sorry,” Valerie Curry said, continuing to tag her slain son on Facebook, while also sharing photos showing bullet holes inside the residence where he was shot. “Home should have been a safe place for you, but that DEMON made sure he took that away from you.”
