Argument over $45 leads to fatal shooting, 19-year-old man now charged

MILWAUKEE -- 19-year-old Stephan Johnson of Milwaukee is charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man near 24th and Melvina. Johnson faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide.

Police say the victim, Lajuan Lipsey, was found lying in the middle of the street on N. 24th Pl. around 10 a.m.  on Monday, September 14th. The initial investigation shows he was shot inside a home -- and then ran into the street where he later died.

The complaint filed against Johnson on Friday, September 25th says Johnson and Lipsey "had been in an argument over $45 that was owed regarding marijuana." While inside a home near 24th and Melvina Monday morning, Johnson told police that Lipsey "grabbed a red pair of scissors and started yelling." Moments later, the complaint indicates Lipsey came at Johnson with the scissors.

During the struggle, the complaint indicates Johnson "walked over to a diaper bag that was next to the couch and removed a chrome .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun." During this time, Lipsey was "still making threats."

According to the complaint, Lipsey "then threw the scissors" at Johnson. That's when Johnson apparently pointed the firearm in the direction of Lipsey and fired. The complaint says that Johnson told investigators, "he was not thinking straight when this occurred."

If convicted, Johnson faces up to 60 years in prison.

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