In the late hours of a Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the life of 33-year-old Black / African American male Houston Oliver Jr. was tragically cut short. On September 18, 2022, Oliver, also known as "H-Town," became a victim of gun violence in an incident that also claimed the life of another man and left two others wounded. The shooting erupted outside of Las Margaritas bar, located at 2232 Roosevelt Road, shattering the night's peace and leaving a community in mourning.
The events that
culminated in the fatal shooting reportedly began with an altercation inside the tavern. Two men, later identified as Kendal R. Readus, 29, of North Chicago, Illinois, and James C. Murphy, 29, of Hogansville, Georgia, were involved in a dispute that led to them being ejected from the establishment. According to law enforcement, after being removed from the bar, Readus and Murphy got into a vehicle, with Murphy driving. It is alleged that Readus then opened fire from the back seat of the car into a large group of people gathered outside, resulting in the deaths of Oliver and 35-year-old James Hood.
In the wake of the shooting, an investigation was launched by the Kenosha Police Department. Their efforts, aided by surveillance footage, led to the identification of Readus and Murphy as the primary suspects. In October 2022, the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office officially charged both men with two counts of murder, among other charges. A significant break in the case came when James C. Murphy was apprehended in Hogansville, Georgia, and began the process of extradition back to Wisconsin to face trial.
Kendal R. Readus, however, remained a fugitive from justice following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest. Authorities reported that Readus had contacted Kenosha detectives in an attempt to "clear his name," admitting to being in a fight but denying any role in the shooting. Despite this communication, he did not surrender to the police. Law enforcement officials considered him to be armed and dangerous, and continued their search. The car allegedly used in the shooting was later found in Waukegan, where Readus had reportedly taken it to be detailed after the incident.
