In the early hours of February 18, 2023, the life of 23-year-old Marquise Powell was tragically cut short in the lobby of a Milwaukee apartment building. Responding to a call around midnight at a complex near 31st and Pierce Street, police discovered Powell without a pulse. Despite the efforts of the fire department to resuscitate him, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The cause of death was later determined by the medical examiner to be multiple gunshot wounds, ruling his death a homicide.
The investigation into Powell's death swiftly identified two individuals, Katrina Killingsworth and Rayshawn Higgins. Security footage from the apartment building played a crucial role in piecing together the events of that fatal night. The video captured earlier altercations on the same day between Powell and Killingsworth, who was identified as his ex-girlfriend. In one instance, she was seen throwing a drink at him. In another, she brandished a firearm, struck him, and fired the weapon in his direction without hitting him.
Later that evening, just before midnight, the situation escalated dramatically. As Powell was loading a tote into a van, Killingsworth returned to the apartment complex, this time accompanied by Higgins. The two began to chase Powell as he hurried back into the building. Caught between the doors of the entryway, Powell, who was unarmed and holding the tote, was shot multiple times by Higgins at point-blank range. According to the criminal complaint, Higgins fired three shots from outside the front door before opening it and firing five more times. During an interview with authorities, Higgins stated that Killingsworth had given him the gun and had told Powell not to run from them.
Both Katrina Killingsworth and Rayshawn Higgins were arrested and faced charges in connection to the murder of Marquise Powell. Higgins was found guilty of first-degree reckless homicide. Killingsworth accepted a guilty plea for charges including second-degree reckless homicide. In March 2024, both were sentenced to 32 years in prison for their roles in the death of Marquise Powell.
