On the night of Friday, March 25, 2016, Deshun T. Freeman was shot and killed on Milwaukee’s north side near 10th and Concordia, just before 11:00 p.m. Police responded to multiple 911 calls about gunshots and a man lying in the street; Freeman was found face down with a fatal gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooting followed a minor rear-end collision at a red light at Teutonia and Center. The driver who reported that crash, 28-year-old Octavia Dodson, pursued the other car to try to get its license plate and later encountered Freeman’s vehicle. After both cars stopped, an altercation occurred. Dodson, who had a concealed carry permit, said Freeman moved toward him and that he fired six times because he feared Freeman was reaching for something; Freeman was struck three times. No firearm, ammunition, or holster was found on or near Freeman, and his car did not match the description of the vehicle from the earlier crash.

Dodson surrendered to police and was arrested and charged with second-degree intentional homicide; a dangerous weapon enhancer was later dismissed as part of a guilty plea to the homicide charge. If anyone knew Deshun Freeman or saw the area that night, please share information that could clarify what happened.