On the evening of November 14, 2016, a domestic dispute in Milwaukee ended with the death of 30-year-old Kortni A. Thornton, a Black woman and mother of three. The incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. on the 7400 block of West Glenbrook Road when Thornton had gone to a residence to pick up her children from her estranged husband, 32-year-old Dexter Gardner.

According to reports, when Thornton attempted to leave Gardner blocked her from closing the car door and produced a handgun. Gardner then opened fire, striking Thornton multiple times; a 57-year-old woman who was with Thornton was also shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Thornton was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds.

Police identified Dexter Gardner as the suspect and took him into custody shortly after the shooting; he was charged with multiple offenses including first-degree reckless homicide. The shooting followed a history of domestic issues, and Gardner was reportedly facing earlier charges in a prior domestic incident involving Thornton and was under a no-contact order at the time. If anyone knew Kortni or has information about the case, please share what you can.