Updated 11-19
Bonds of $1 million each were set Monday for the four males who've been implicated in the shooting death of a Wheatland man and the wounding of a woman during what authorities now say appeared to be a robbery gone bad.
They range in age from 17 to 23 and are all based in Racine. None has an extensive arrest record, according to information that was presented during their bond hearings.
Augustine Sanchez allegedly organized the attempted robbery after learning that the victim, 23 year-old Joseph Riley, would be an "easy" target, according to District Attorney Michael Graveley. Augustine borrowed his girlfriend's car to get to the scene. He purportedly stayed outside while the others approached the house.
Anthony Harris was the first to enter and fire, according to Graveley. Harris stocked shelves at a grocery store and has an associate degree in business management from Gateway Technical College.
Markeith Wilson, the youngest of the four, was the second to enter, Graveley said. He too was armed but it wasn't immediately clear whether he had fired the weapon.
Demarco Hudson was the third person in line. He was the primary caregiver for his mother, grandmother and an aunt, who all have various health problems, according to what a defense attorney told Court Commissioner Larry Keating. Hudson was reportedly working to obtain his GED.
Riley was shot four times and died at the scene while the injured female was struck by seven bullets, according to Graveley. The woman, who hasn't been identified, is out of intensive care and is responding to stimuli.
The day after the incident, Kenosha County Sheriff Dave Beth said that drugs appeared to have something to do with the crime. Graveley wouldn't comment on that, other than to say robbery appeared to be the motive.
Graveley said he didn't know whether Riley and the four defendants were personally acquainted with each other.
In addition to the two victims, both Hudson and Wilson were struck by bullets from a gun used by Riley. The two wounded accomplices were dropped off at a nearby gas station by Sanchez and Harris. Hudson still has a bullet embedded in his chest, an attorney said.
Criminal complaints are expected to be filed on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a Go-Fund-Me campaign has been set up to cover Riley's funeral expenses. The page says that Riley, described as compassionate and kind, grew up in foster care and group homes, and had a rough childhood.
The campaign has raised more than $5,000 of its $8,000 goal.
-0-