Racine family determined not to let son's murder case turn cold

RACINE -- Two years ago this month, Daniel Mayfield was murdered. His parents refuse to give up on the hunt for Daniel's killer, and are determined to not let the case turn cold.

This week, the Mayfields faced another Christmas without their son. It was their third since he was killed, but the family feels no closer to closure.

The events of December 7th, 2010 have become a daily source of pain for Joanne and Clarence Mayfield.

"My son got shot in the head. It's like you're still reliving that day over and over," Joanne Mayfield said.

Daniel was fatally shot in a Douglas Ave. apartment in Racine. The shooter forced his way into the building. Daniel's roommate returned fire, and the shooter fled. 

Over two years later, a suspect has never been charged.

Less than a month before he was shot, Daniel moved out of his parent's house in Caledonia. Some heated arguments with his father over Daniel's future had peaked with a disorderly conduct charge filed against Daniel.

"Usually he would get in his car and drive away, and a few hours later he'd come back and apologize to us," Clarence Mayfield said.

"You try the tough love, and it just didn't work. That's more or less what it was," Joanne Mayfield said.

Joanne and Clarence's love for their son is evident in his mother's emotional words.

"After two years, I'm a little better, but not much," Joanne Mayfield said.

The Mayfields are frustrated with the lack of progress in the police investigation and with others in the community they believe are choosing to stay silent.

"Everybody's just afraid of being a snitch. You gotta think if it happened to you or if it happened to your child, how would you feel?" Joanne Mayfield said.

Racine police say this remains an open investigation. 

Clarence Mayfield says he calls an investigator sometimes two to three times a week to discuss his son's case. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers at (262) 636-9330.