On the night of Friday, March 25, 2016, a conflict that began with a minor car accident tragically escalated, ending the life of a young Black / African American man, Deshun T. Freeman. The events unfolded on the north side of Milwaukee, near the intersection of 10th and Concordia, just before 11:00 p.m. Police were dispatched to the scene following multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots and a man lying in the street.
Upon arrival, they discovered Freeman face down, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The chain of events leading to the shooting began with a rear-end collision at a red light at Teutonia and Center. Octavia Dodson, then 28 years old, reported that his vehicle was struck from behind and the other car fled the scene. Dodson initially claimed he was heading to his father's house but later admitted to pursuing the vehicle in an attempt to get its license plate number. During his search, he encountered a car driven by Freeman. Believing it to be the car from the hit-and-run, Dodson followed it. After both cars pulled over, an altercation ensued between the two men.
Dodson, who had a concealed carry permit, claimed that Freeman moved towards him while yelling. Dodson stated that he saw Freeman fumbling by his driver-side door and then start to run towards him with his hands in his pockets or under his sweatshirt. Fearing that Freeman was reaching for something, Dodson fired his gun six times, striking Freeman three times. After witnessing Freeman fall, Dodson left the scene and then called 911 to report the shooting, initially claiming that Freeman had pulled a gun on him. However, the investigation found no firearm, ammunition, or holster on or near Freeman's body. It was also determined that Freeman's vehicle did not match the description of the car involved in the earlier accident.
Octavia Dodson later surrendered to the police. He was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree intentional homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon. In exchange for a guilty plea to the homicide charge, the dangerous weapon penalty enhancer was dismissed.
