In the fading light of a December afternoon in Milwaukee, a dispute simmering within the walls of a house on the city's south side violently spilled into the street, leaving a 37-year-old man dying in a stranger's yard. On December 9, 2017, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police and firefighters responded to the corner of S. 22nd and W. Mineral streets to find Marcholee Skenandore wounded. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
An autopsy would later reveal that Skenandore had been shot twice, once in his left leg and once in his lower back.
The events that led to the fatal shooting began inside a nearby residence where a confrontation erupted over crack cocaine. A man named Mariece Marks, then 34, became enraged by a threat made during the dispute. Witnesses reported that Marks left the house only to return shortly after, now brandishing an assault rifle. The situation escalated when the individual who had argued with Marks arrived with several friends.
As the confrontation moved outdoors, Marks began shooting. According to his own statement to police, he opened fire after allegedly being shot at first. He claimed to have seen Skenandore crouching by a house. In a chilling admission, Marks told investigators that he shot Skenandore while he was on his hands and knees, facing away from him. Initially, Marks denied being present during the shooting, but his story changed as he later admitted to his involvement.
Following an investigation into the violent encounter, Mariece Marks was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon. At the time of the incident, Marks had prior convictions for illegal gun and drug possession. He was held in the Milwaukee County Jail on a $50,000 bond pending further court proceedings.
