Deonta Lezine, a 21-year-old Black male and former student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was involved in a fatal shooting on Saint Patrick's Day in 2016. The incident, which took place near the university's campus at the intersection of Fifth and Minnesota avenues, stemmed from a drug deal that went wrong. Lezine, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, sustained critical injuries from the shooting on March 17, 2016.
He was placed on life support but ultimately succumbed to his wounds and passed away on March 25, 2016. The violent event caused a stir within the university community.
The sole suspect in the shooting death of Lezine was identified as Kyle Engen, a 32-year-old from Marshall, Wisconsin. Following the incident, Engen managed to evade law enforcement for over a month, sparking a significant manhunt. His time as a fugitive came to an end in Colorado, where he was apprehended by authorities. U.S. Marshals then transported Engen back to Wisconsin to face legal proceedings. He was held on a $100,000 cash bond.
During his trial, Engen claimed that he had shot Lezine in self-defense. However, the jury was not convinced by his testimony. After a trial that included testimony from several witnesses, the jury deliberated for just under three hours before returning a guilty verdict. Engen was convicted on four counts, which included second-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon. Following his conviction, Kyle Engen was sentenced to 18 years in prison. In addition to his prison term, the judge imposed 10 years of extended supervision that Engen will have to serve after his release.
