Prosecutors: Man charged in fatal Menomonee Falls shooting killed driver taking his ex to work

Man charged in fatal shooting of Dontrel Burnett

Demetrius Gordon

MENOMONEE FALLS -- 23-year-old Demetrius Gordon is now charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Dontrel Burnett of Milwaukee. Gordon faces a single count of first degree intentional homicide in this case.

Burnett was fatally shot near the intersection of Pilgrim Rd. and Megal Dr. in Menomonee Falls on Friday afternoon, Jan. 26. Prosecutors say Gordon tracked Burnett's car as he was driving Gordon's ex-girlfriend to work.

According to the criminal complaint, Burnett was in a vehicle with two other passengers on Friday afternoon. One was the ex-girlfriend of Gordon. The complaint indicates Gordon is the father of the woman's child and "they broke up three weeks prior."

Dontrel Burnett

The complaint indicates Burnett was driving northbound on I-41 and exited at Pilgrim Rd. He and his passengers were apparently concerned for their safety due to Gordon's driving -- who had been driving nearby. At Pilgrim and Megal, Gordon "pulled up directly behind Burnett's vehicle," the complaint says. Burnett stepped out and walked toward Gordon's car. One of the witnesses inside Burnett's vehicle said he saw Gordon "reach over with his right hand." That is when Burnett started to "run away from both cars, and the defendant began shooting at Burnett." The witness observed Burnett "stop and fall."

"I'm at a loss for words. I don't know what to say," Richard Burnett, Dontrel's father said. "I would never think that I would be a part of a club of a parent that would bury his son or his daughter. He was just a kind, giving, loving person."

Family members said the two men had issues in the past.

"Why did you take my son? He was a special kid. I don't know what to say to you man but I hope God deals with you accordingly and you serve justice man," Richard Burnett said.

Demetrius Gordon

Pilgrim Road and Megal Court scene in Menomonee Falls

The complaint indicates after the shooting, Gordon's vehicle then drove away from the scene.

Officials say on Sunday, Jan. 28, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Gordon -- and around 6:30 p.m., he was taken into custody. Gordon is being held at the Waukesha County Jail.

Gordon made his initial appearance in court on Monday, Jan. 29. A hearing was set for Feb. 14. Cash bond was set at $500,000.

Meanwhile, Menomonee Falls police are urging anyone who was a witness to this Friday incident to call them at 262-532-8700.

Also, investigators are on the lookout for the vehicle operated by Gordon at the time of the shooting. Officials say it is a gold 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, 4-door with Wisconsin license ABV-8003 (a similar vehicle is shown below).