Five shot, hurt in downtown Racine; suspect identified

 

Updated: 11:26 a.m. on Feb. 14, 2022

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Racine police identified the man suspected of shooting and injuring five people at a bar. They say 50-year-old John Wesley Brown killed himself as officers were negotiating with him early Sunday morning, Feb. 13. 

Published: 5:41 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2022

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Racine Police are investigating a shooting in the area of 7th and Park Avenue that left five people hurt.

Police were called out just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, and when officers arrived, they saw people running north on College Avenue. Police report officers then encountered an armed man, who took off running.

Officials say there was a brief foot chase with the suspect, and officers attempted to negotiate with the man. Ultimately, police report the suspect took his own life.

Police report three victims were transported from the scene by a rescue squad, while two others transported themselves to hospitals in different cities. Police say none of the injuries appear to be life threatening. Officials say the incident appears to be domestic related. 

"Kind of unnerving to wake up and feel like this was going on right next to you and you don't really know what was going on," said Marty McGee, who lives on 7th Street. "It puts a black mark on Racine again. Racine is always getting downed for having so much drama and things like that, but it isn't really like that at all."

McGee says he's not concerned that the shooting happened so close to his home, adding that it could happen 'anywhere.'

"Grocery stores, colleges. As long as everyone's dealing with this, 'I've got to have a gun situation,' right? It could happen anywhere," McGee added. "People have access to guns, they get crazy, they feel like they have to go make a point, that's how they do it, and it's really sad. Really sad."

Investigators are interested in any additional information about the shooting. Any witness or person with information are urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at (262) 635-7756. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330.