In a heartbreaking turn of events on April 27, 2020, 16-year-old Tera R. Thomas Agee, a Black/African American female, was found deceased in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin home. The grim discovery was made after a man, later identified as 43-year-old Christopher Stokes, called 911 to report that his family was dead. The scene that awaited authorities at the residence near North 12th and West Locust streets was one of immense tragedy.
Inside the home, Tera was one of five victims.
The others were identified as 41-year-old Teresa R. Thomas, 19-year-old Marcus G. Stokes, 17-year-old Lakeitha M. Stokes, and 14-year-old Demetrius R. Thomas. The investigation would later reveal that all five individuals had been fatally shot. The crime scene was described as horrific, with investigators finding 12 spent shotgun shells within the house. A 3-year-old grandson of the suspect was found at the scene unharmed.
Christopher Stokes, who had a history of domestic violence, was arrested at the scene. He later confessed to the murders, stating that he had "massacred" his entire family. In July 2021, Stokes was sentenced to 205 years in prison for the killings. He received 40 years for each count of first-degree reckless homicide, with an additional five years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. During his sentencing, Stokes expressed remorse for his actions.
