MILWAUKEE — A local teenager has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a shooting that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy and injuries to five others. Romello Littlejohn, who was 16 at the time of the incident, received the sentence on January 23, including credit for more than two years already served. He also faces 20 years of extended supervision following his release.
Littlejohn was charged with serious offenses, including first-degree reckless homicide and multiple counts of recklessly endangering safety and injury. A jury found him guilty of all charges in December, and he subsequently filed a notice of intent to seek post-conviction relief on January 26.
The shooting occurred on March 20, 2023, near 15th and Concordia streets. According to police reports, Davion Patterson, 15, was killed after being struck by multiple gunshots. Five women, ranging in age from 18 to 22, were also injured and had to be hospitalized following the incident.
Police discovered around 30 shell casings at the crime scene and concluded that the shots had likely originated from at least two firearms. Prosecutors revealed that a planned fight that night was reportedly fueled by a dispute over a romantic interest. Witness accounts indicated that tensions quickly escalated, with witnesses noting Littlejohn’s threats to harm anyone involved.
The chaos reportedly ensued shortly after a brief altercation, lasting around 10 seconds, before the gunfire erupted. Evidential testimonies described Littlejohn as recklessly shooting into a crowded area, where the victims were standing, leading to his identification by witnesses during police investigations.
Initially, Littlejohn denied being present during the confrontation, claiming he had stayed home that evening. However, he later changed his story, admitting he was at the scene but insisting he had not discharged a firearm. He then acknowledged possession of a gun, asserting he did not fire it. His narrative adjusted again when he claimed to have fired a shot, albeit into the air.
A critical development in the investigation was the recovery of a text message from Littlejohn’s phone sent on the night of the shooting, where he seemed to indicate involvement in the incident. The information gathered by law enforcement, including eyewitness accounts and physical evidence, played a vital role in the prosecution’s case against him.
With the sentencing, the court aims to address the broader implications of youth violence and its consequences, as communities grapple with the tragic impact of such acts on families and neighborhoods.