Byron E. Gettis Jr., 19, of East Saint Louis, Illinois, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in an alley in the 1700 block of Gay Avenue on March 9, 2025. The St. Clair County Coroner pronounced him dead at 5:30 p.m. that evening; East St. Louis police called in the Illinois State Police to assist in the investigation. His mother, Latricia Gettis, reported him missing that morning after he failed to return home or attend his Army Reserve drill and she could no longer track his location.

Gettis Jr. had served in the Army Reserve for about a year and was preparing for deployment to Kuwait at the end of March. His parents say he balanced military duties with school and two jobs; his father is former Major League Baseball player Byron Gettis Sr., who later coached football. Authorities have not released information about arrests or suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Did anyone see Byron in the days before March 9 or have information about activity in the 1700 block of Gay Avenue that day?