Milwaukee Man Faces Charges After Deadly Shooting at Underground Poker Game
Summary
A private poker game on Milwaukee’s northwest side turned deadly after a masked intruder briefly approached and entered the house, sparking panic. On the night of 18 October, 35-year-old Donovan C. Jones allegedly fired multiple times in a basement where players had gathered; two men, Dwayne Carter, 43, and Shaquille Madison, 33, later died. Jones has been charged with two counts of first-degree reckless homicide.
Surveillance shows a masked person with what looked like a rifle approach and briefly enter the house before running off. Witnesses say the appearance prompted several people, including Jones, to arm themselves. Police found nine shell casings at the scene; ballistic testing tied all casings to Jones’s weapon. Prosecutors say there is no evidence anyone else fired a gun.
Key Points
- The incident occurred at a private poker game near West Ruby and Appleton avenues on 18 October.
- Donovan C. Jones, 35, is charged with two counts of first-degree reckless homicide after two players died.
- Surveillance captured a masked intruder briefly entering the house, prompting fear among attendees.
- Nine shell casings were recovered and all were linked to Jones’s gun; investigators found no evidence others fired.
- Victims: Dwayne Carter (43) was found dead in the basement; Shaquille Madison (33) was found injured outside and later died at hospital.
- Jones told police he hid under the stairs and fired at a dark shape he thought was a threat; he later called 911 saying he feared he had killed a friend.
- Both victims had cash on them; Jones had over $5,000 and Madison’s backpack had over $8,000 — nothing was reported stolen.
- Jones is held on a $35,000 cash bond and faces up to 60 years in prison for each count if convicted.
Why should I read this?
Quick version: a late-night poker game ended in a fatal mess after someone in a mask spooked the room. If you follow gambling-related crime, community safety or local legal cases, this explains who’s charged, what surveillance showed and why prosecutors believe only one gun was fired. It’s short, stark and relevant if you want the facts without trawling the full police file.
Author style
Punchy: this is a serious, fast-moving case with clear evidence tying the shots to one person. The consequences are heavy — two people dead, and a criminal case that could lead to decades behind bars. Read the details if you care about public-safety angles around illicit or private gambling gatherings.
