Neighbors, friends say Racine homicide appears random

RACINE -- Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Larry Steele near 10th and Grand Ave. in Racine just before midnight on Saturday, December 15th. Police say a gunman fired into a group of teens and young men, and one person was killed. Now, what started out as a celebration has left the neighborhood with heavy hearts and few clues as to who is responsible.

Neighbors told FOX6 News the night began with crowds of teens who showed up at the nearby Bray Center, where joint birthday parties were taking place. 

Jennifer McNeil said she heard about four shots just before midnight. She says the gunman was in a car, and the shooter appeared to spray the crowd.

"I guess it was a group of kids outside on the corner, and somebody came through and fired shots into the crowd. It wasn't meant for like, a specific person. It was meant for whoever was out there," McNeil said.

Friends say the man who was killed was in his early 20s. He was reportedly struck in the head and taken to the hospital, where he died.

Friends who gathered at the scene on Sunday said the shooting doesn't make sense.

"(He was a) cool person, laid back, made you laugh. He ain't cause no harm to nobody. I don't understand. Everything happened so fast," one friend said.

Neighbors like McNeil say the gun culture in this area needs to change.

"An act of ignorance -- that's it. This is the society we live in today," McNeil said.

The identity of the victim is not being released until relatives are notified.

This is an active and ongoing criminal investigation. 

Racine Police investigators are interested in any additional information that you may have about this crime. If you have any information about this homicide, you are urged to contact the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756. You may also contact Crime Stoppers at 262-636-9330, or by texting RACS plus the message to CRIMES (274637) and referring to Tipsoft I.D. #TIP417 with your text message.