20-Year-Old Shot Dead Was Bystander In Gang Shooting

RACINE, WI — A 20-year-old Racine man who was shot and killed was reportedly a bystander in a targeted gang shooting.

Rytrell D. Earl, 17, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide and four counts of attempted homicide for what happened on the night of Aug. 6.

According to his criminal complaint, a group of youth, including 20-year-old Deshaun Jordan, had been walking outside on the 1600 block of Phillips Ave. in Racine after enjoying a fish fry, when a white Chevy Impala with black rims entered the alley.

The criminal complaint stated that the group was met by a barrage of gunfire by unknown assailants. One was struck in the elbow and grazed by a second bullet. They took off running, and believed that Jordan had run as well. They did not know that he had been shot and was laying, dying of his wounds on the sidewalk.

Investigators viewed surveillance video from the area and observed the Impala involved in the shooting. Investigators were able to identify the Impala as a vehicle a known Northside For Life gang member, Rytrell Earl, was known to operate.

Police went to a home on the 1000 block of N. Memorial Drive and found Earl's vehicle and Earl inside the residence, according to the criminal complaint.

According to police, a search was conducted, resulting in recovering a text message in which Earl asked an associate if they had any 9 mm ammunition because "he was going out."

Police reported that the shell casings found near Jordan's body were 9 mm ammunition, as well as one 45 mm casing. After his arrest, Earl told police that they pulled into the west alley of the 1600 block of Phillips Ave. that evening, known as Dirty P gang territory - a rival gang.

According to the criminal complaint, Earl's group saw a group of six-to-seven males walking their say, and he believed one of them had a gun, so he and another person inside the car began to fire at the group.

Police stated that as Earl was readied for transport to the Racine County Jail, he asked investigators if he could identify the person that was killed. The investigator informed him that the person who was killed was not a gang member.

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image via racine county jail