In the summer of 2021, the life of 15-year-old Rhyder Fox, a Black / African American male, was cut short by gun violence in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the evening of August 6th, the teenager was fatally shot in an alley near 21st and Mine. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the young man slumped over against a fence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident was another stark reminder of the city's ongoing struggle with youth violence and firearms.
For nearly three years, the case remained without a public resolution, leaving a void for his family and community. The Milwaukee Police Department initiated an investigation immediately following the shooting, but details about a potential suspect were not forthcoming. The lack of arrests in gun-related homicides often highlights the challenges law enforcement faces, which can include a reluctance of witnesses to come forward. In the years that followed, friends and family kept his memory alive, sharing heartfelt messages and remembrances online.
A significant breakthrough in the investigation came in the summer of 2024 when a witness provided crucial evidence to investigators. This new information directly implicated 29-year-old Shiovar Williams in the 2021 shooting. According to the witness, they saw Williams and the 15-year-old exchanging gunfire on the night of the incident. The witness stated that after the teenager's gun appeared to jam, Williams fired a shot that resulted in the boy's death.
Following this witness testimony, Shiovar Williams was charged with first-degree reckless homicide. Further strengthening the case against him, forensic experts were able to link Williams' DNA to a hat that was discovered near Rhyder Fox's body at the crime scene. It was also revealed that Williams had a prior juvenile record that included a felony murder case from 2012. In May 2025, Williams appeared in a Milwaukee County courtroom for the first time to face the charges related to the death of Rhyder Fox, nearly four years after the fatal shooting. A commissioner set his bail at $250,000, citing his lengthy and serious criminal history. In addition to the homicide charge, Williams faces two other felony charges in this case.
