Rashied M. Schuelke, a 15-year-old student at Central High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin, was known as a beloved son and friend. He was born on December 30, 2010. Those who knew him are left to mourn a young life cut short by sudden violence.
On the evening of Thursday, October 1, 2026, Rashied was with friends who dropped him off in an alley in the 600 block of Hood Street. At about 5:22 p.m., as he walked behind the car, gunshots suddenly rang out.
The shooting occurred near the intersection of 7th Street South and Hood Street, just a block south of Hamilton Elementary School. Witnesses reported hearing several pops, which some initially mistook for a car backfiring. Rashied was struck by gunfire in his chest and arm. Surveillance video captured him running from the alley with a gun in his hand before he collapsed at the intersection. First responders arrived to find him on the ground and immediately began life-saving measures. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:55 p.m.
The La Crosse Police Department launched an immediate and intensive investigation into the homicide. The area was cordoned off as investigators collected evidence late into the evening. A nearby hospital was briefly placed on lockdown as a safety precaution. Through witness statements and surveillance footage, investigators quickly identified a suspect: 16-year-old Antonio Johnson. According to a criminal complaint, police believe the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute over a firearm. An individual familiar with the situation told police that Johnson was angry because he believed Rashied had taken his gun, and he shot him for it.
An arrest warrant was issued for Antonio Johnson, charging him with first-degree intentional homicide. The La Crosse Police Department asked for the public's help in locating him but warned that he should not be approached. A manhunt ensued, and on the following Tuesday, police executed a search warrant at a residence on the 400 block of Jackson Street, hoping to find Johnson. He was not there, but investigators arrested his mother, Julie Johnson, and his brother, Armando Johnson, on charges of harboring or aiding a felon. Later that day, Antonio Johnson was taken into custody by the La Crosse Police Department.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the community. La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey issued a statement expressing the city's heartbreak. "Our community is heartbroken as we mourn the tragic and senseless loss of a young life cut short by this unimaginable tragedy," the mayor said. "Gun violence is not and will never be tolerated in the city of La Crosse." Police Chief Shawn Kudron called the incident profoundly disturbing. "To see youth as both the victim and the suspect in a fatal shooting is an alarming reality that the La Crosse community absolutely cannot tolerate," Kudron stated, assuring the public that the department was working tirelessly to ensure residents' safety.
In the wake of the tragedy, the School District of La Crosse notified parents that there would be an increased administrative and police presence at schools to provide reassurance and support. The district's Student Services team was made available for any students who needed help processing the event. The investigation remains active, and authorities have stated they believe it was an isolated incident. The case against Antonio Johnson and his family members is proceeding through the justice system as of October 2026. The La Crosse Police Department continues to ask anyone with information to contact them at (608) 782-7575. Anonymous tips can be provided to the La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 784-TIPS (8477) or online.
