In the early morning hours of May 1, 2015, a family dispute in a Milwaukee neighborhood escalated into deadly violence, claiming the life of 26-year-old Black / African American male Demario Jones. The incident, which unfolded near 37th and Nash Street, also resulted in the death of another man, Montrell Burdine, and left three others wounded. The events of that night were set in motion by a domestic argument that drew in several family members and acquaintances, quickly spiraling into a
chaotic street fight.
Responding to reports of shots fired, Milwaukee police arrived to a grim scene. They discovered Jones lying unresponsive on the grass; he was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Nearby, officers found Burdine, who had been shot in the thigh. Despite initial consciousness, Burdine succumbed to his injuries after significant blood loss. The ensuing investigation painted a picture of a complex and heated confrontation that tragically ended in gunfire.
The investigation led to the arrests of two men, Devon Loggins and his stepbrother, Mario Granville. According to witness statements, the conflict began with an argument involving Jones, his girlfriend and Loggins himself. This argument was reportedly connected to an earlier altercation where Loggins had allegedly punched Jones's father. As the dispute intensified, several cars arrived at the scene, and a man reportedly began shooting from the side of a house. Jones’s sister identified Loggins as the person who shot both Jones and Burdine, firing numerous rounds into the crowd.
Both Loggins and Granville were charged in connection with the double homicide. However, the legal proceedings took a turn. While Devon Loggins was convicted for his role in the fatal shootings, the case against Mario Granville unfolded differently. During Loggins's trial, testimony emerged that cast doubt on the evidence against Granville. Prosecutors ultimately concluded they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Granville had fired the fatal shot that killed Demario Jones, leading to the dismissal of the homicide charges against him.
