Milwaukee shooting: 14-year-old boy dead, man charged

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee man is criminally charged in a shooting that killed a 14-year-old boy on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Prosecutors said 19-year-old Rahshad Bates told police he was handling a gun when it went off, and he “accidentally shot his friend” while they 

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The shooting happened near 21st and Concordia. Officers were called to the scene around 9:15 p.m.

A criminal complaint states a group of people was with the 14-year-old victim, and they flagged down officers when they arrived at the scene. Bates was with the group and was seen “pacing around inside, looking out the windows” of a home after first responders began tending to the victim.

Shooting at 21st and Concordia, Milwaukee

The medical examiner’s office said the victim, Bryant Triplett, died at a hospital.

Bates spoke to police at the scene. He said he and the victim were walking dogs in the alley when “some unknown person shot a gun at them for unknown reasons,” per the complaint. Later, Bates told a detective the same story – but eventually admitted he had a gun and “accidentally shot his friend.”

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Specifically, court filings said Bates had the gun tucked under his armpit and started to empty the gun. He had his finger on the trigger when he pulled the slide back, and the gun accidentally went off. He then, with help, carried the victim back to the house. He said he tossed the gun, but the weapon was not found.

In court

Bates is charged with one felony count: homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon. Court records show Bates’ bond was set at $2,500.