In Racine, Wisconsin, the evening of Thursday, September 10, 2015, turned tragic for 14-year-old Vista Jackson. A freshman at Horlick High School, she was at a residence on Albert Street when she was fatally shot. Emergency services transported her to a hospital in Milwaukee, but she succumbed to her injuries. The young girl, remembered fondly by her community, lost her life just days into her high school journey.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a person of
interest, 14-year-old Keller McQuay. Police located and arrested McQuay the following day. He was subsequently charged as an adult with first-degree reckless homicide, possession of a short barrel shotgun, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was held at the Racine Juvenile Detention Center on a $250,000 bail.
According to reports, McQuay and Jackson were in a relationship and were together inside the Albert Street home when the shooting occurred. A criminal complaint stated that another child in the house heard the two saying they loved each other, followed by a "pop." McQuay was then reportedly heard saying, "oh my god I just shot Vista." At a vigil held for Jackson, McQuay's stepfather spoke, stating he believed the shooting was not intentional but that his stepson deserved to be held accountable for playing with a gun. He also mentioned that the two teenagers were not supposed to be seeing each other without adult supervision due to a court order. Jackson's family, heartbroken, attended McQuay's court appearance seeking justice for their daughter, granddaughter, and sister.
