Milwaukee, WI – A 29-year-old mother was fatally shot in front of her child after a minor traffic incident escalated into violence on Milwaukee’s north side earlier this month. The victim, Charmaine William, was gunned down near her home as her 9-year-old son and 2-year-old niece sat helplessly in the car.
Authorities have arrested Larry Jefferson, 29, who now faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide and illegal firearm possession in the Aug. 6 shooting.
Child Witnessed Mother’s Killing After Minor Crash
William’s son, referred to as “DD” in court documents, was found crying in the vehicle after the shooting. Detectives say the boy was confused and devastated, repeatedly asking why his mother had been killed. He told investigators that the gunman, later identified as Jefferson, had been riding a cruiser-style motorcycle and wearing a vest with gang-related patches.
According to the boy, a motorcycle bumped into their vehicle moments before the rider pulled alongside and opened fire through the windshield, striking his mother multiple times. William died outside her home near 31st Street and Fairmount Avenue.
Surveillance and Social Media Uncover Key Evidence
Investigators reviewed traffic camera footage and connected Jefferson to a Facebook group linked to a local motorcycle club. They found photos of Jefferson on a black cruiser-style Harley Davidson and wearing the same clothing described by the boy. One image showed Jefferson carrying a black handgun with an extended magazine, which matched the weapon used in the crime.
Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology confirmed that Jefferson’s motorcycle had been trailing William’s vehicle on the day of the shooting.
Evidence Recovered From Suspect’s Home
Armed with a search warrant, authorities searched Jefferson’s residence. They seized a motorcycle club vest identical to the one worn during the incident, and a Glock 30 .45 caliber handgun loaded with brass CCI cartridges. Ballistic analysis later confirmed that this was the weapon used to fire all five shell casings recovered from the scene on N. Sherman Boulevard.
Jefferson, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.
Boy’s Statement Corroborated by Physical Evidence
According to court records, the young boy recalled that the shooter pulled a gun from between his legs and fired directly into the car. Police recovered five .45 caliber shell casings at the scene, and tests confirmed they all came from the gun found in Jefferson’s home, as per reports.
The Facebook group, identified as “Cliqueriders MC,” showed multiple photos matching the suspect’s description. Detectives say this digital trail, combined with physical evidence and eyewitness accounts, was instrumental in securing charges.
Community and Legal Response
Jefferson is currently being held on a $300,000 bond in Milwaukee County Jail. He is due back in court on September 9 for a scheduling conference. The senseless nature of the killing has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls to address gun violence and road rage incidents across the city.
Final Thoughts
The murder of Charmaine William has shaken the Milwaukee community, particularly due to the young child’s eyewitness account and the brazen nature of the shooting. Prosecutors are pursuing the case as a reckless homicide, and Jefferson faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
What are your thoughts on how this case was handled? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
