On the evening of Friday, October 30, 2020, a 41-year-old White male named Joshua Terry was killed in what authorities believe was a road rage incident. A United States Air Force veteran, Terry was described by those who knew him as a "gentle giant". That evening, he decided to go for a drive to relax and listen to music, a routine he often enjoyed. His wife, Renee, later recounted that his plan was to just go to a local QuikTrip for a soft drink.
He left his Cedarburg home, driving his white 2013 Kia Optima northbound on Interstate 43.
At approximately 6:40 p.m., in the Town of Port Washington near Northwoods Road, an incident occurred between Terry's car and another vehicle. The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office determined there was "minor vehicle contact," which led to both drivers pulling over onto the shoulder of the highway. Following an interaction between the two drivers, Joshua Terry was shot. The suspect then fled the scene, continuing northbound on I-43 at a high rate of speed. Joshua Terry was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries. A truck driver later found Terry on the side of the road and stayed with him, covering him with a blanket, until law enforcement arrived.
The investigation into Joshua Terry's homicide has remained open, yet years have passed without an arrest. The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office has repeatedly appealed to the public for information, asking anyone who was driving on that stretch of I-43 around the time of the shooting to come forward. Investigators noted the lack of lighting and cameras on that part of the highway has made the case particularly challenging. Though persons of interest have been investigated, there has not been enough evidence to connect anyone to the crime. The suspect and their vehicle remain unidentified. Terry's family has offered a reward, which has grown to $15,000, for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for his death.
