MILWAUKEE – A seventh individual has been charged by Milwaukee County prosecutors in relation to a 2024 shooting that injured three people at an after-hours social club.
Club Shooting
Incident Overview:
The shooting took place near Holton and Townsend around 3 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2024. A doorbell camera recorded screams of distress before a vehicle rapidly left the scene.
Milwaukee police reported that three individuals—ages 49, 29, and 16—suffered gunshot wounds but survived. Among the injured was the club owner.
One of the suspects charged told officers he was related to the owner, and the altercation happened during what was meant to be a family gathering. The owner stated that the event was in honor of Otis Green, who is also facing charges.
Further Investigation:
Detectives reviewed security footage from within the club, revealing two distinct shooting incidents.
Prosecutors stated that Vincent Reel and Delvin Hightire got into an argument, both brandishing weapons and exchanging gunfire. The owner then took a shotgun loaded with non-lethal rounds and appeared to guide people out of the area.
Green, Hightire, Shorontay Smith, and Samonte Wright confronted the owner. According to court records, Wright seized the shotgun and aimed a handgun at the owner’s face. He later took another gun from the owner’s waistband, which Smith kicked aside. The group then exited together.
Footage later captured Wright firing a pistol into the building, while Hightire turned and discharged additional shots. They then entered a van with Smith and fled the scene.
Legal Proceedings
Current Developments:
Prosecutors noted that the investigation remains active, and more charges may follow. As of March 14, the legal status of the seven charged individuals is as follows:
Gary Cooper-Wertz, 29:
Dec. 31, 2024: Charged with illegal firearm possession
Jan. 10, 2025: Bond set at $15,000
Feb. 26, 2025: Entered a not guilty plea, case proceeding to trial
Joyce Ford, 29:
Jan. 10, 2025: Charged with reckless endangerment with a firearm
Jan. 10, 2025: Bond set at $50,000
Otis Green, 31:
Jan. 2, 2025: Charged with armed robbery, reckless injury, reckless endangerment, and illegal firearm possession
Jan. 2, 2025: Bond set at $150,000
Delvin Hightire, 44:
Jan. 19, 2025: Charged with armed robbery, reckless injury, and reckless endangerment
Jan. 21, 2025: Bond set at $150,000
March 7, 2025: Pleaded not guilty, case proceeding to trial
Vincent Reel, 44:
Jan. 12, 2025: Charged with reckless injury and illegal firearm possession
Jan. 13, 2025: Bond set at $100,000
Feb. 20, 2025: Pleaded not guilty, case proceeding to trial
Shorontay Smith, 39:
Jan. 12, 2025: Charged with armed robbery
Jan. 12, 2025: Bond set at $5,000 (posted on Jan. 17, 2025)
Samonte Wright, 33:
March 4, 2025: Charged with armed robbery, rec
kless injury, and reckless endangerment
March 9, 2025: Bond set at $50,000
