In the cold of a Milwaukee winter, the life of Deunta T. Johnson, a 32-year-old Black/African American male, came to an abrupt and violent end on February 1, 2017. The fatal encounter unfolded outside a business located on West North Avenue, near North 35th Street. Johnson had allegedly entered a vehicle parked outside the establishment in an attempt to steal it. The owner of the car, Michael L.
Moss, quickly became aware of the situation.
As Johnson attempted to drive away in the vehicle, Moss ran out of the business. What happened next was captured by a nearby laundromat's surveillance camera. Moss was seen firing a gun into his own car as it was being driven away. Johnson was struck by seven bullets, and the vehicle came to a stop. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the shooting.
The investigation into the shooting was swift. Detectives used the surveillance footage and gathered statements from witnesses who saw the events transpire. The evidence pointed to Michael L. Moss as the shooter. It was discovered that Moss had a prior felony theft conviction, which prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
Following his arrest, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office charged Michael L. Moss with first-degree reckless homicide. Prosecutors argued that the use of deadly force was not justified in this situation because Johnson did not pose an immediate threat to Moss's life. Moss was held in the Milwaukee County Jail on a $20,000 bail while awaiting further legal proceedings. The case against him highlighted a complex and ongoing debate surrounding self-defense and the protection of property.
