Creepy Masked Figure Sparks Double Fatal Shooting at Milwaukee Poker Game

• Prosecutors say fear led to fatal poker-room shooting
• Donovan Jones accused in deaths of cousin and friend
• Victims identified as Dwayne Carter and Shaquille Madison

An underground poker game in Milwaukee, Wis., ended in tragedy after a mysterious masked figure briefly appeared at the door. Now a man faces two counts of first-degree reckless homicide for shooting dead his friend and his cousin because he believed he was about to be robbed by the intruder.

The charges indicate prosecutors accept Donovan C. Jones’ account that the killings were not intentional but stemmed from a tragic mistake sparked by fear and confusion.

On October 18, Jones, 35, played in an all-night poker game at a residence in Milwaukee’s northwest side with Dwayne Carter, 43, his friend, and Shaquille E. Madison, 33, his cousin.

The charging complaint describes the residence as a private poker room with two large tables, a television, whiteboards, and posted house rules,

Chilling Footage

It’s unclear from court filings whether others had previously attended the game, but by 7 a.m., the three men were alone in the house. At this point, Carter and Madison rushed into the kitchen to inform Jones that a masked, armed man was attempting to enter the residence.

Jones, Carter, and Madison pulled out their guns and retreated into the dark basement, the complaint states.

Jones told police he fired multiple rounds at a dark “silhouette.” Shortly after, he called 911 saying he feared he had shot his friend.

Police arrived at the residence at 7:32 a.m. to find Caret dead in the basement. Also shot, Madison had staggered out of the front door of the property before collapsing on the front lawn. He later died in the hospital.

Police recovered nine spent casings that matched Jones’s gun, and no evidence indicated anyone fired at him. Authorities have not accused the briefly seen masked figure of firing a weapon.

Jones had more than $5,200 on him and a backpack recovered from Madison contained about $8,300 in cash, according to prosecutors.

Faces 60 Years

First-degree reckless homicide in Wisconsin refers to conduct that creates an unreasonable risk of death and demonstrates utter disregard for human life. Prosecutors don’t have to prove intent to kill, a key distinction that often appears in cases involving panic, poor visibility, and guns.

Nevertheless, Jones faces a maximum 60 years in prison if found guilty on each count.