In the winter of 2023, a tragedy unfolded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that cut short the life of Garfield Williamson Barnes, a 44-year-old Black man. On the afternoon of January 22nd, police were called to the scene of a car crash near McKinley and Vliet. Inside the Lexus that had struck a retaining wall, they discovered Garfield Barnes, who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
His death was quickly ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.
Investigators at the scene found a single 9mm cartridge casing inside the vehicle, suggesting the shot had been fired from within the car. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a man walking away from the crashed vehicle with a limp. The subsequent investigation brought to light a story of familial strife and mental health struggles.
The day of the shooting, Garfield had been at home with his girlfriend and his son, Tra-Von Barnes. Garfield had been trying to persuade his son to seek help at a mental health facility for what was described as undiagnosed mental health issues. His girlfriend later told detectives that Tra-Von's demeanor had changed that day; she heard him in the basement talking to himself and making statements about "somebody being a mooch."
The investigation soon focused on Tra-Von as the primary suspect in his father's death. He was arrested and initially charged with first-degree reckless homicide. In March 2025, in a turn of events, Tra-Von Barnes pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree reckless homicide. His sentencing was scheduled for May of the same year.
