On the evening of October 14, 2023, a confrontation at a BP gas station on Vel R. Phillips and Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ended the life of 20-year-old Brandon Long, a Black/African American male. Surveillance footage from the gas station captured the events that led to the fatal shooting.
The video showed a man, later identified as 38-year-old Maurice Newton, arriving at the gas station on foot around 9:54 p.m.
A short time later, at 10:10 p.m., Long arrived and was seen interacting with people in cars in the lot. At 10:11 p.m., Long and Newton began a conversation. The interaction escalated, and just before 10:13 p.m., as Long walked towards his vehicle, Newton stood in his way, appearing to continue the verbal exchange. As they reached the back of Long's car, Newton swung at Long with his left hand before pulling a firearm from his clothing with his right hand and shooting Long multiple times. Newton then fled the scene on foot. Milwaukee police were dispatched to the scene where they found Long on the ground with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital but died on the way.
Investigators identified Maurice Newton as the suspect. On October 24, police located an SUV Newton was suspected of driving near a liquor store at 5th and Center. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, Newton sped off, leading to a police chase that ended when the SUV crashed into a tree. Newton was arrested, and a search of the vehicle uncovered cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. During his initial police interview, Newton denied any involvement in Long's death. However, in a second interview, he admitted to being at the gas station and claimed that Long had threatened to kill him prior to the shooting. He confessed to swinging at Long and then shooting him four times with a black gun he claimed to have found in an alley earlier that day. He told police he threw the gun in a sewer after the shooting but could not remember the location.
Maurice Newton was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon, and fleeing an officer, among other drug-related charges. His cash bond was set at $500,000. In a plea deal, Newton pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree reckless homicide. In April 2024, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of extended supervision. As part of the plea agreement, five other felony charges were dismissed.
