Milwaukee flag football game shooting, man found guilty at trial
Gavino Avalos-Morales
MILWAUKEE - Gavino Avalos-Morales was found guilty at trial on Friday of shooting and killing 47-year-old Raysean Barnes at a youth flag football game on Milwaukee's south side.
In court:
Prosecutors charged Avalos-Morales with first-degree reckless homicide, but a Milwaukee County jury convicted him on a lesser charge of second-degree reckless homicide. He was also found guilty of discharging a gun in a school zone and having a gun on school grounds.
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What's next:
Court records show Avalos-Morales, 31, is scheduled to be sentenced in May.
The backstory:
The shooting happened at MPS South Stadium, near 11th and Windlake, in October 2024. Court documents said the shooting was the result of a fight that Barnes was not even involved in.
MPS South Stadium
A criminal complaint said Barnes was leaving the stadium to get water for a thirsty child and there was a fight involving two groups of people near a concession stand. Prosecutors said surveillance video showed two men leave the bleachers, run past Barnes and start a fight with Avalos-Morales and another man.
Prosecutors said Avalos-Morales pulled out a gun during the scuffle and, for no apparent reason, pointed it at Barnes. Court filings said the victim appeared to have his hands up in a "surrender position" right before he was shot.
The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from the Wisconsin Circuit Court, as well as prior coverage that included information from the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.