On the evening of July 29, 2015, Montravis Johnson, a 21-year-old Black / African American male, was fatally shot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The incident occurred near South 21st Street and Greenfield Avenue. Johnson was with his mother and they were heading to a corner store when they were confronted. An altercation ensued, which tragically ended with Johnson being shot and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts by police and firefighters.
A medical examiner later determined that he died from a single gunshot wound that entered his jaw and exited the back of his neck.
Two suspects, 18-year-old Nathan Binns and 17-year-old Dale Hall, were arrested shortly after the shooting. Milwaukee police officers happened to be just a block away, investigating an abandoned home, when they heard the gunshot. They saw Binns and Hall running from the direction of the sound and were able to apprehend them after a brief foot chase. A. 357 magnum revolver was also recovered.
According to the criminal complaint, the motive for the attack was robbery. Binns told investigators that he and Hall had planned to rob someone for money and marijuana. They allegedly targeted Johnson after seeing him "flashing money" near his vehicle. When they confronted him, an argument started. Hall told police their intent was to scare Johnson into giving them his money. As the confrontation escalated, Binns pulled out a revolver and fired a single shot through a sweatshirt he had over his shoulder, striking Johnson. Binns was charged with first-degree reckless homicide and attempted armed robbery, while Hall faced charges of felony murder and felony bail jumping, as he was out on bail for a previous felony charge at the time of the incident.
