Kwesen Sanders, intended target of gunman who shot Bill Thao ordered to stand trial on drug charges

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee police say he was the intended target of the shooter whose bullets killed 13-month-old Bill Thao. 19-year-old Kwesen Sanders is facing drug charges, and he appeared in court on Tuesday, January 13th for his preliminary hearing.

Kwesen Sanders



Sanders faces two counts of conspiracy to commit the manufacture/delivery of heroin (three grams or less).

A criminal complaint filed against Sanders says he was the intended victim of the gunfire that killed Bill Thao.

Documents show the gunman who was trying to shoot Sanders for stealing his drug customers shot up the wrong house. Instead of shooting into Sanders' residence, the gunman shot into the identical duplex next door.

Search warrants uncovered by FOX6 News show Sanders was the focus of Milwaukee police long before December 27th -- the night Bill Thao was shot and killed.

A search warrant identifies Sanders with the street name "K-Money" -- a member of the "Wild 100s" street gang.

That street gang is linked to two high-profile crimes: a shooting that occurred during a robbery of the Innovative Optique store in Fox Point (a robbery suspect was shot and killed by a store employee) and a case involving a teen killed during a street robbery on the city's south side.

Sanders was also being investigated as a suspect in another shooting over the summer.

While Sanders' past is criminal and court documents show he was the intended target of the gunman who killed Bill Thao, it is important to note Sanders is NOT the person who shot and killed Bill Thao.

Police say that person is 21-year-old Darmequaye Cohill. Cohill faces the following criminal charges: first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon -- and first-degree reckless endangering safety.

As for Sanders, in court for his preliminary hearing Tuesday, a Milwaukee police officer testified, and Sanders' attorney asked that the case against him be dismissed. That request was denied.

The court found probable cause, and ordered Sanders to stand trial on the drug charges.

Sanders has an arraignment scheduled for January 20th.

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