Milwaukee teen charged in fatal shooting of Terren Fezer on city's south side



Jose Orta



MILWAUKEE -- Another young person in Milwaukee is dead by gunfire, and an even younger suspect is accused of pulling the trigger. The shooting happened on near 13th and Harrison late night Sunday, Aug. 25.

The accused is 15-year-old Jose Orta -- who is charged with the following criminal counts:


    Friends of Terren Fezer say his smile at age 22, hadn't changed from their teen years.

    Terren Fezer



    Terren Fezer



    Terren Fezer



    "He always wanted to make people laugh but at the same time, he was very loyal and very true to himself and his character," said Kalei Anderson, childhood friend.

    Kalei Anderson was devastated to learn her friend, known as "TJ," was shot and killed on Sunday, Aug. 25.

    "I know he had that want to live and do more with his life," Anderson said.

    Prosecutors say Fezer and a woman picked up a man on Sunday, and asked if they could "drive him around to sell drugs." The woman and Fezer did just that -- and the person who they were helping "gave them $10 and some marijuana."

    That person eventually got out, and a criminal complaint says, 15-year-old Jose Orta got in.

    Fatal shooting near 13th and Harrison



    Fatal shooting near 13th and Harrison



    Prosecutors said Orta ordered them down an alley, got out of the car, pointed a gun and said "I don't want to do this bro get out of the car." Fezer attempted to drive away and a gunshot was heard.

    Prosecutors said Fezer hit the gas, ran into the creek and eventually came to a stop before help arrived.

    "The circumstances are the hardest part, knowing that he wanted to try to give himself a better life," said Anderson.

    The tire tracks show the suspect drove down into the creek under the bridge on S. 13th St. between W. Harrison and W. Cleveland, before his female passenger -- a key witness -- got control of the car.

    "He got married, he was planning to join the Military, he really -- as of this year -- wanted to turn his life around and that's the part that hurts a lot too," Anderson said.

    Terren Fezer



    Fatal shooting near 13th and Harrison



    The medical examiner's report indicates Fezer suffered four gunshot wounds caused by two bullets. The manner of death was determined to be homicide.

    Orta was scheduled to appear in Milwaukee County court for an initial appearance on Thursday, Aug. 29 -- but that never happened.

    Terren Fezer



    Terren Fezer