William 'Bill' Thao, a 13-month-old boy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, tragically lost his life on December 27, 2014. Bill was playing with his toys in the living room of a relative's home near 73rd and Mill Road when multiple shots were fired into the house. The bullets, intended for a nearby heroin dealer named Kwesen Sanders, mistakenly hit the Thao residence.
Bill was struck by one of the bullets and later died at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
The investigation into Bill Thao's death led to the arrest and conviction of Darmequaye Cohill. Cohill was charged with first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree recklessly endangering safety. During the trial, it was revealed that Cohill had fired 41 shots into the wrong house, aiming for Sanders. Despite Sanders initially making a deal with prosecutors to testify against Cohill, he later recanted his statement in court. Nevertheless, the jury found Cohill guilty, and he was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with an additional 25 years of extended supervision.
The case has not been without controversy. Some believe that Cohill may not be the true perpetrator. A former Milwaukee police officer and state drug and gang agent, Bodo Gajevic, has argued that another individual, Steven R. Jordan, may have been responsible for the shooting. Jordan allegedly confessed to the crime and claimed that Cohill was paid to take the fall. Despite these claims, no new charges have been brought against Jordan, and Cohill remains in prison.
Bill Thao's death was part of a larger pattern of gun violence in Milwaukee in 2014, which saw several children killed by stray bullets. The community was deeply affected by these tragedies, and Bill's family continues to mourn his loss. The case remains a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence on innocent lives.
