Milwaukee social club shooting; 3 wounded, 6 charged
MILWAUKEE - Gunfire at an after-hours Milwaukee social club wounded three people – including the owner – in December. Six people are now charged with a number of crimes in the case.
Club shooting
What we know:
It happened at Holton and Townsend around 3 a.m. on Dec. 21. A doorbell camera captured screams of panic before a car sped away.
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Milwaukee police said three people – ages 49, 29 and 16 – were shot. All the victims' injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
At least one of the people who is now charged told police he is related to the owner, and the shooting unfolded during what was supposed to be a family gathering.
Image from inside after-hours social club near Holton and Townsend
Detectives were able to review surveillance from inside the club, where police said there were two separate shootings.
Prosecutors said Vincent Reel, who is in custody, and Delvin Hightire, who has a warrant out for his arrest, were arguing when both men drew guns and exchanged gunfire. That’s when the owner grabbed a shotgun and appeared to usher people out of the room, carrying a shotgun with non-lethal ammunition. At some point, MPD said people surrounded the owner, and he was shot.
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Nearby surveillance video showed more chaos outside. Investigators said Hightire turned and fired three more shots at the front of the building, along with a second person, before leaving.
The owner told officers the party was for a man named Otis Green, who is also charged.
Image from outside after-hours social club near Holton and Townsend
What we don't know:
FOX6 News stopped at the club on Wednesday hoping to speak to the owner about what happened. The owner was not available.
In court
What's next:
Prosecutors said the investigation into the case is ongoing, and additional charges could be added for those already who are already charged – or for other people who may have been involved.
Reel, Hightire and Green are each charged with several felonies – including first-degree recklessly endangering safety. The status of their court cases is as follows:
Gary Cooper-Wertz, 29:
- Charged with possession of a firearm by a felon
- Bond set at $15,000 on Jan. 10
- Due back in court on Jan. 31
Otis Green, 31:
- Charged with armed robbery, first-degree reckless injury, first-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a firearm by a felon
- Bond set at $150,000 on Jan. 2
- Due back in court on Jan. 31
Joyce Ford, 28:
- Charged with endangering safety by reckless use of a firearm.
- Bond was set at $50,000
- Due back in court on Jan. 16
Top (L-R): Gary Cooper-Wertz, Otis Green, Joyce Ford; Bottom (L-R): Vincent Reel, Shorontay Smith (not pictured), Delvin Hightire (not pictured)
Vincent Reel, 44:
- Charged with first-degree reckless injury and possession of a firearm by a felon
- Bond set at $100,000 on Jan. 13
- Due back in court on Jan. 22
Shotontay Smith, 39:
- Charged with armed robbery
- Bond set at $5,000
- Due back in court on Jan. 22
Delvin Hightire, 44:
- Charged with armed robbery, first-degree reckless injury and first-degree recklessly endangering safety
- Court records show a warrant is out for his arrest
The Source: Information in this report is from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.