In the winter of 2020, a dispute over the use of profanity within a Beloit, Wisconsin rehabilitation home tragically escalated, resulting in the death of 50-year-old Dewayne Wiggins, a Black/African American male. On December 7, 2020, Wiggins was fatally shot inside the residence he shared with other individuals in recovery on 10th Street.
The incident unfolded after an argument broke out between Wiggins and his housemate, Mario Tucker.
The disagreement quickly intensified, culminating in Tucker shooting Wiggins twice. Another resident of the home witnessed the events that led to the fatal shooting in the living room.
Following the shooting, Mario Tucker was arrested and initially charged with first-degree intentional homicide. The case went to trial in May 2022. After a two-and-a-half-day trial, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before reaching a verdict.
The jury found Tucker guilty of a lesser charge, second-degree intentional homicide. The defense had argued that Tucker acted out of fear for his safety during the confrontation with Wiggins.
