Two teens charged in connection with shooting at Racine's Transit Center

RACINE (WITI) -- Charges were filed on Friday, January 23rd against two Racine teenagers in connection with a shooting that happened at Racine’s Corinne Reid Owens Transit Center on Wednesday.

The accused are 17-year-old Lamont Koker and 15-year-old Naceir Mayes -- both of Racine. Koker is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and carrying a concealed weapon. Mayes faces three charges including attempted first-degree intentional homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to deliver or manufacture THC.

Lamont Koker

According to the criminal complaint, Koker and Mayes were members of a gang and wanted to talk with the victim, a member of a rival gang. They apparently planned to talk with the victim at the Racine Transit Center. Each brought a .22 caliber handgun with them.

The complaint indicates Koker and Mayes confronted the victim when he was sitting on a bench at the transit center. The victim "balled his fists as he started to walk towards Koker. Koker told Mayes to watch out." Moments later, Mayes told police he believed the victim had a gun "and did not want to get shot. Mayes stated that he pulled out his gun and pointed it at the victim. Mayes admitted to firing his gun once with the intent to hit the victim. After he fired his gun, he pulled the trigger a second time, but it malfunctioned and did not fire."

The complaint goes on to say, "Mayes stated approximately one to two seconds after he fired his gun, he heard a second shot come from where Koker was located." Mayes told police after he heard the second shot, "the victim slumped over as if he had been shot. Mayes admitted to firing at the victim, but is not sure if he hit the victim or if Koker hit the victim with his shot, or if both of them hit the victim with their shots."

Naceir Mayes

After the shots were fired, the complaint says Koker and Mayes ran from the transit center until they were stopped by police. Koker is alleged to have tossed his gun off a bridge into the Root River during that time. However, because the river was frozen, the gun was sitting on top of the  ice -- and was later recovered by the Racine County Sheriff's Department Dive team.

The victim — a 17-year-old boy -- is said to be in stable condition.

The Racine Police Department Investigations Bureau is still interested in any witnesses that might have been at the transit center during this incident. Anyone with additional information about this crime are urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756. You may also contact Crimestoppers 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.

If convicted, Koker and Mayes each face up to 60 years in prison.

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