'This is devastating': Mother of 6 killed in Racine shooting that led to hours-long standoff with gunman
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) — A family and the Racine community are mourning the loss of 48-year-old Charmeka Flowers.
On Tuesday, July 22, a man barricaded himself in his home for seven-and-a-half hours on Reschke Avenue and Harriet Street in Racine.
The suspect was rushed out of the home on a stretcher at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, bringing an end to a standoff that started shortly after 11 a.m. and shut down a neighborhood for the entire day.
It started when Flowers was shot multiple times Tuesday morning.
Police say the gunman shot himself and confirmed Wednesday that both the victim and gunman died from their injuries.
Flowers' mother says she was a shining star.
"I don't even know how we are going to recover from this, this is terrible, this is devastating," said Bennie Pegues, Charmeka Flowers' younger brother.
Bennie Pegues is holding photos of his sister close to his chest.
"We love you, Meka, so much," he said.
Pegues says she was a pillar in the community, taking care of anyone in need.
"We all love her so much. You know, in some places, you have a person that's like a mother figure to so many people that everyone just loves her. She was like that," Pegues explained.
He now wears her work badge around his neck; they say Flowers was a substitute teacher at Racine Unified School District.
While she was a mother to the community, Pegues says her six kids were her main priority.
"The most important part to me is she was a mother. She was a real mother, she made sure those kids were taken care of no matter what," said Pegues.
A five-minute drive down the street is where the shooting and standoff happened.
Plywood now covers the front door on this Reschke Avenue home, along with bullet holes and broken glass in the windows.
CBS 58 obtained Facebook video from a neighbor showing the more than seven-hour standoff from Tuesday night.
Flowers' family identified the alleged shooter as Johnny Williams.
Pegues says they had a child together.
Demetra Brown is Flowers' sister. She says Flowers will never be forgotten.
"She had a heart of gold. She was all over a great person, she had the greatest heart -- not a good heart, a great heart. She would give you the clothes off her back," said Brown.
Flowers' family will hold a balloon release in her honor at 7 p.m. near Reiley Court and Racine Street Wednesday night.
They ask to bring purple, white and gold balloons.