On a Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 2015, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the life of 18-year-old Michael Powell, a Black male, was cut short by a fatal shooting. The incident occurred inside a residence near 29th and Melvina, where Powell was discovered deceased. Reports indicated that Powell, who had a history of mental health challenges, had entered a home belonging to two brothers without their permission.
The occupants of the home, 27-year-old Aaron Jones and 25-year-old Aric Jones, were
subsequently identified as the individuals involved in the shooting. According to the criminal complaint, Aric Jones, admittedly armed with a. 40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and aided by his brother, shot Powell. The brothers later informed police that they had not called 911 or made any attempt to seek police assistance when they found Powell in their home. Aric Jones claimed he believed Powell was armed, but investigators found no weapon on Powell or at the scene.
Both brothers faced legal consequences for their actions. Initially, both were charged with second-degree intentional homicide, and Aric Jones faced an additional charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In October 2015, Aric Jones pleaded guilty to an amended charge of homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon. The firearm possession charge was dismissed but considered during sentencing. The following month, Aaron Jones pleaded "no contest" to a charge of being a delinquent in possession of a firearm.
Ultimately, the court determined that the brothers' use of force was unnecessary and could have been avoided. Aric Jones was sentenced in December 2015, while his brother Aaron received a sentence in November of that year, which included three years of probation and 30 days in the House of Correction for the firearm charge. The tragic event brought to light the complexities of self-defense claims and the circumstances that led to a young man losing his life.
