Man gunned down in apartment lobby, 2 sentenced to prison after accepting guilty pleas

Updated at 6:35 p.m. on March 25, 2024:

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The two who faced charges in the death of Marquise Powell each received sentences for the crimes on Friday, March 22.

Rayshawn Higgins and Katrina Killingsworth were each sentenced to 32 years in prison.

Killingsworth accepted a guilty plea involving charges of second-degree reckless homicide with modifiers of being a party to a crime and the use of a dangerous weapon, along with a charge of 1st degree recklessly endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon and 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon.

Higgins was found guilty of first-degree reckless homicide, as a party to a crime.


MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee man and woman are facing charges in connection to the homicide of a 23-year-old man, identified by family as Marquise Powell.

According to a criminal complaint, police responded to an apartment complex near 31st and Pierce Street around 12 a.m. Feb. 18 and found the victim pulseless. Fire department officials attempted to resuscitate him, but the man died of his injuries at the scene. The medical examiner's office ruled the victim's death homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds. 

The complaint says security camera footage from the apartment complex caught multiple incidents between the victim and Katrina Killingworth, later determined to be the victim's ex-girlfriend. The complaint says in one incident, around 5:24 p.m., video shows Killingworth and another individual confront the victim in the apartment entryway. As the victim begins to walk away, Killingworth throws a drink from a Styrofoam cup of coffee at him, hitting him in the chest. The complaint says the victim continues to exit the building and Killingworth follows, while grabbing a firearm from the other individual. 

The video reportedly goes on to show Killingworth strike the victim in the face with a closed fist and point the gun at him before firing toward the victim's feet without striking him. The complaint says Killingworth then "aggressively" confronts the victim and spits on him before walking away, turning and firing the gun once more in the victim's direction. 

Prosecutors say Killingworth left the scene and returned to the residence with Higgins just before midnight. The victim was reportedly loading a tote into a van, and hurried into the building as Higgins and Killingworth began to chase him.

As the victim was in between doors, the complaint says Higgins fired at him multiple times. Higgins allegedly fired three shots outside the front door, then opened the door and fired five shots at the victim "at point blank range," while he was unarmed and holding a tote.

When interviewed by authorities, Higgins said Killingworth gave him the gun and told the victim not to run from them. 

Katrina Killingworth, 26, is charged with first degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime, first degree recklessly endangering safety and second degree recklessly endangering safety.

Rayshawn Higgins, 29, is charged with first degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Records show Higgins was previously convicted in a robbery in 2012.

He and Killingworth are due in court for preliminary hearings on Feb. 28.

Cash bond has been set at $250,000 for each. 

Share this article: