On the night of December 7, 2015, Thomas Reginald Elliott, a 62-year-old African-American man from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was fatally shot outside a residence in the 4100 block of West Fairmount Avenue. Elliott, affectionately known throughout Milwaukee as “Peter Blue,” was a well-known professional pool player who had spent years building a reputation in the city's billiards community.
What began as an ordinary evening playing cards with friends ended in a deadly encounter that would leave his family searching for answers for years.
Elliott was born on April 3, 1953, in Walnut, Mississippi, and moved to Milwaukee with his mother and siblings during his youth. He developed an exceptional talent for playing pool, eventually traveling internationally and earning a living through the sport. His nickname originated from his childhood name, Pete, and evolved into Peter Blue as he became recognized among fellow pool players. He was also known for his distinctive sense of fashion, frequently wearing carefully chosen suits and taking considerable pride in his appearance. Family members described him as kindhearted, easygoing, and deeply devoted to his children and grandchildren.
At approximately 11:00 p.m. on December 7, Elliott had finished playing cards with friends at the home of his longtime girlfriend near North 42nd Street and West Fairmount Avenue. As he stepped outside into the driveway, two individuals approached him and opened fire. Elliott was struck multiple times. The attack unfolded quickly, leaving him critically wounded before the assailants escaped. Investigators subsequently learned that at least one of the suspects fled toward a white four-door Cadillac with tinted windows, entering the rear passenger seat before the vehicle drove away.
Milwaukee police responded to the shooting and discovered Elliott suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but his injuries were fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including Elliott's activities that evening, the individuals who might have known his whereabouts, and the vehicle reportedly used by the attackers.
The circumstances suggested that Elliott may have been deliberately targeted rather than randomly attacked. Investigators believed the perpetrators had been waiting for him and knew he would eventually leave the residence. Early reporting on December 10, 2015, indicated that Milwaukee police considered the shooting possibly drug-related, although authorities did not publicly establish a definitive motive. Later reporting described investigators' belief that Elliott may have been targeted because others were aware of, or held assumptions about, his financial circumstances. Neither explanation has been publicly confirmed as the proven motive for his murder.
The white Cadillac became an important detail in the investigation. The vehicle was described as having four doors and tinted windows, and at least one suspected participant reportedly entered its rear passenger compartment after the shooting. However, publicly available information has not established whether investigators identified the vehicle, determined its ownership, or located the people responsible for the attack. Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the two individuals believed to have confronted Elliott.
The killing devastated Elliott's family, particularly his daughter, Dr. LaTanya Jones, and his son, Reginald Jenkins. LaTanya recalled speaking with her father by telephone the day before his murder, discussing when they would see one another again. She was outside Wisconsin when a cousin contacted her with the news that her father had been killed. The sudden loss was especially painful because it occurred shortly before Christmas, a time the family had expected to spend together.
Elliott's funeral reflected both his personality and the affection people had for him. Hundreds of people reportedly contacted the funeral home to share memories of their experiences with Peter Blue, including stories about his generosity and his willingness to teach others how to play pool. His family incorporated Christmas colors into the arrangements, and Elliott was dressed in a red-and-white suit. His daughter continued honoring his memory through annual trips around his birthday or the anniversary of his death, visiting places she had once hoped to experience with him.
As the years passed without an arrest, Elliott's family continued appealing for information. In March 2021, Milwaukee television coverage revisited the unsolved killing and highlighted the family's determination to obtain justice. In 2022, LaTanya participated in a Crime Stoppers interview, hoping that renewed attention would encourage someone familiar with the circumstances to speak with investigators. She also continued distributing flyers throughout Milwaukee and maintaining contact with detectives assigned to the case, including members of the Milwaukee Police Department's Cold Case Unit.
Despite the information concerning the two suspected attackers, their apparent knowledge of Elliott's movements, and the white Cadillac, the homicide remained unsolved in publicly available reporting through 2025. No suspects have been publicly identified by name, and no arrests, criminal charges, trials, or convictions connected to Elliott's murder have been confirmed. The investigation remains an open cold case, with authorities continuing to seek information that could establish who orchestrated the attack and why Elliott was targeted.
Nearly a decade after his death, Elliott's family was still advocating for answers. His daughter remained determined to preserve his memory while seeking accountability for those responsible. Anyone with information about the December 7, 2015, murder is encouraged to contact the Milwaukee Police Department's Cold Case/Homicide Unit at 935-7360. Anonymous information can also be provided through Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at 224-8477. For Elliott's family, the unanswered questions surrounding his final moments remain a painful part of his loss, while the hope that someone will eventually come forward continues to sustain their pursuit of justice.
