Milwaukee car fire, boy found dead; 4 charged in connection to homicide
4 charged in connection to homicide of Milwaukee teen
Four people have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of 15-year-old Makai Neal.
MILWAUKEE - A 21-year-old Milwaukee man is facing more than 60 years in prison after a 15-year-old was found dead inside a burning vehicle in Milwaukee earlier this month.
What we know:
The accused is Charles Roby. He has been charged with the following:
- First-degree reckless homicide - PTAC, as a party to a crime, habitual criminality repeater, use of a dangerous weapon
- Mutilating a corpse - PTAC, as a party to a crime, habitual criminality repeater
- Arson of property other than building - PTAC, as a party to a crime, habitual criminality repeater
- Possession of a firearm by a felon, habitual criminality repeater
- Sell/possess/use/transport machine gun, habitual criminality repeater
But he isn’t the only one charged in 15-year-old Makai Neal’s death; 24-year-old DJ Chandler, 21-year-old Shatianna Williams and 39-year-old Shatise Williams all made court appearances Monday in the killing.
DJ Chandler, Charles Roby, Shatianna Williams, Shatise Williams
The backstory:
Milwaukee police said Neal was found dead inside a gray Honda Accord. The car had been set on fire near 26th and Locust on Monday night, Feb. 10.
Makai Neal
Investigators say Roby and Chandler had been hanging out with the teen earlier that night when Roby accused Neal of stealing a gun and taking it from him.
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According to the criminal complaint, Neal "began calling his cousin" to tell him what happened when Roby shot the teen. Prosecutors say the boy was yelling "to be taken to the hospital" when Roby drove off with Neal.
Scene near 26th and Locust
Investigators say Roby called a friend and with Shatianna Williams and her mother, Shatise Williams, listening, he said "he had to finish [the victim] off" because he was afraid he would tell on him.
The women were later seen buying a can of gas for Roby, according to police.
Milwaukee car fire, boy found dead; loved ones remember life lost
Milwaukee firefighters found a 15-year-old boy dead after a car fire. On Saturday, family and friends of Makai Neal gathered to remember him.
Neal's body was found in a burning car with eight gunshot wounds about an hour later. Milwaukee County Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Lauren Decker determined the cause of death was multiple gunshots and the manner of death was homicide.
What they're saying:
"This is highly, highly sinister and aggravating behavior, with absolutely no signs of remorse of what he’s done," Assistant District Attorney John Letsch said on Monday. "This is conduct that is very concerning. It’s complete disregard for the safety of others, for the safety of our community."
What's next:
Roby is being held on a $500,000 bond, but it could increase to $750,000 if GPS monitoring is unavailable and cash bail was paid.
Charles Roby
He is due back in court for his preliminary hearing next week.
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What you can do:
Neal's family said, if anyone would like to help, monetary donations can be sent to Signature Service Mortuary:
Address: 4065 N. 35th St., Milwaukee, WI, 53216
Email: signatureservicemortuary@gmail.com
Phone: 414-616-1602
The Source: Information in this report is from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, Wisconsin Circuit Court and Milwaukee Police Department.