Devin J. Long, a 32-year-old father of five, was a pillar of strength for his family and a motivational force in his Madison, Wisconsin community. Remembered by loved ones as someone who could change the entire mood of a room, Devin was an impactful and humble man who made it his mission to help everyone who crossed his path. His dedication to his children inspired him to start his own fitness journey, which he used as a platform to promote peace and speak out against gun violence. He sought to be a positive influence, a goal made tragically poignant by the way his life was taken.
In the early hours of Saturday, October 31, 2026, a disturbance involving about two dozen people broke out on the 1200 block of Regent Street. The area, just blocks from Camp Randall Stadium, was active as bars were closing. At approximately 1:40 a.m., the Madison Police Department was dispatched to the scene.
As officers were en route, the conflict escalated dramatically when gunfire erupted in the crowd. Devin was struck by a bullet during the chaos.
When police arrived, they found Devin with critical injuries and immediately began administering lifesaving measures. He was rushed to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries later that day. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office officially confirmed his death and completed a forensic autopsy on November 2. The cause and manner of death were pending further testing.
The Madison Police Department launched a homicide investigation, with detectives working to review digital evidence to understand what led to the shooting and to identify a motive. Madison Police Chief John Patterson stated it was unclear if the shooting was a targeted incident or "the result of a pointless bar time dispute." As of early November 2026, no arrests had been made in connection with Devin's death.
Devin’s homicide was part of a devastating wave of gun violence that shook the city. It was the fourth gun-related killing in Madison that week alone and the city’s ninth homicide of the year. "It's been an incredibly hard and traumatic week for our community," Chief Patterson said at a news conference. "I am pleading with our community to stop using guns to resolve disputes... Having your police officers and firefighters and paramedics respond to these types of incidents and provide emergency medical care and to traumatic gunshot wounds cannot be our new normal."
In the wake of the sudden and unexpected loss, Devin’s family was left heartbroken and facing the financial burden of his final arrangements. His brother, Monel Antut, organized a fundraiser to help cover funeral and memorial costs and to provide support for Devin’s five children. "The most painful part of this tragedy is that Devin was taken away from us in the same community where he promoted peace to," his brother wrote. "If you knew him, you know what the world lost." He added, "You were a light in this world, Devin, and lights like you don't go out — they get passed on."
The investigation into Devin Long's death remains active and is being conducted by the City of Madison Police Department and the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office.
