In the early morning hours of May 26, 2018, a gathering of friends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, turned into a scene of tragedy. Cortney Huley, a 43-year-old Black/African American man, was hosting friends at his home near 19th and Hadley. Huley, known as a respected barber and a father of two, was engaging in a card game when an altercation broke out. During the dispute, he was shot multiple times.
After the shooting, Huley was driven to a local hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed to Thomas Sanders, who was not only present at the gathering but was also described as a friend of the family. Following the fatal shooting, Sanders fled the scene, sparking a manhunt that lasted for several months. The search came to an end in September 2018 when Sanders turned himself in to authorities near Indianapolis. His surrender brought a complex mix of relief and renewed grief for Huley's loved ones, who were still struggling with the sudden and violent loss.
Thomas Sanders was charged in connection with Cortney Huley's death. In February 2020, a Milwaukee County jury found him guilty of all charges related to the murder. The trial brought to light the shocking details of the crime, revealing that Sanders had abruptly opened fire on Huley during the card game. While the court proceedings provided a measure of legal justice for the family, the motive behind the sudden act of violence remained unclear. Sanders' sentencing was scheduled for April 2020, marking the next chapter in the legal conclusion of a case that left a family and a community mourning a profound loss.
