In the early afternoon of March 1, 2014, a tragic event unfolded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that ended the life of 23-year-old Mario D. Towns, a Black / African American male. Towns was discovered lying on the ground in front of a duplex, the victim of a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In his pocket, officers found over $3,000.
The investigation into Towns' death revealed a harrowing tale of a home invasion and armed robbery.
The events leading to his death began when two individuals, later identified as 18-year-old Antonio Scarbrough and his accomplice Doneal Bell, targeted the duplex. Witnesses reported that Scarbrough forced Towns into the lower unit of the residence at gunpoint. Inside, Scarbrough and Bell, who was armed with a claw hammer, terrorized the occupants, demanding money and drugs.
According to the criminal complaint, the situation escalated when Scarbrough brought Towns into a bedroom with a handgun pointed at his head. The occupants of the lower unit were then forced into the living room and made to get on their knees. At some point, Towns attempted to escape, running out the front door. Scarbrough gave chase, and a witness reported seeing a man with his arm extended as if pointing a handgun at the fleeing victim before Towns fell face-first onto the sidewalk.
The subsequent police investigation led to the arrest of Antonio Scarbrough, who was charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree reckless homicide, armed robbery, and burglary. Doneal Bell was also implicated in the home invasion. Confidential sources informed the police that Scarbrough and Bell had been aware that Towns was carrying a significant amount of money from a tax refund and had planned to rob him. Bell later admitted to police that Scarbrough had contacted him about robbing Towns and that he knew Scarbrough was armed. He also stated that Scarbrough admitted to firing a shot at Towns as he fled.
