Eric A. Ranson, a 24-year-old resident of Madison, Wisconsin, tragically lost his life on November 17, 2021, due to a fatal shooting. The incident occurred on Madison's east side, specifically at a home on Home Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Ranson was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Ranson died from gunshot wounds sustained during the shooting.
The Madison Police
Department's Violent Crime Unit quickly identified and located a person of interest in connection with the shooting. This individual was initially arrested on unrelated charges, but the investigation into Ranson's death continued. The case took a significant turn when two suspects, Chabris Link and Justin Burage, were arrested in April 2022. Both men faced charges related to the shooting. Link, 32, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, while Burage, 33, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime.
Chabris Link was extradited to Wisconsin and held on a $1 million cash bond. During his initial court appearance, the court commissioner imposed strict conditions on his release, including avoiding contact with Burage and Ranson's family, and prohibiting the possession of dangerous weapons or unauthorized drugs. Link's preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 28, 2022.
In a subsequent development, Justin Burage took a plea deal to avoid a murder charge. He pled guilty to one felony charge of attempted armed robbery as a party to a crime and one felony charge of harboring or aiding a felon. As part of the plea agreement, the first-degree intentional homicide charge against him was dropped.
The investigation into Eric Ranson's death highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Madison Police Department and the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office. The case remains a poignant reminder of the impact of gun violence on the community and the ongoing efforts to seek justice for the victims and their families.
