Racine police investigate homicide of Thomas Person

RACINE -- Racine police are investigating the homicide of 76-year-old Thomas Person. His 38-year-old stepson, Trevor Rogers is now in custody, suspected in the killing.

Investigators say officers were called to a home on Emstan Hills Rd. around 1:45 a.m. Monday. They learned there had been a fight between Person and his stepson. Person was severely hurt in that altercation. The stepson left the home and called 911.

Person was taken to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Hospital, where he died.

Officers arrested the stepson not far from the home. He's expected to be charged with first-degree intentional homicide. Police say the investigation into this incident is ongoing. "We're still investigating, still canvassing the neighborhood and gathering witness statements to see if anyone else in the neighborhood heard or saw anything," Racine Police Sgt. Martin Pavilonis said.

Neighbors in the area say they're shocked, and say they remember seeing the elderly man in the yard doing yard-work. They say shortly before 2:00 a.m. Monday they heard nothing out of the ordinary. Neighbor Don Johnstone says Rogers was a friend of his son, and was an athlete, who played college football. "He seemed like a nice, quiet kid," Johnstone said.

Police say the district attorney could get this case Tuesday, and Rogers remains in the Racine County Jail. Police say Rogers has had a few run-ins with the law, but nothing violent in recent history.