Abel A. Avila : “Racine Teen Faces Felony Charges for Shootings”

RACINE  — A 19-year-old Racine resident, Abel A. Avila, is facing a slew of charges, including felony possession of a firearm, in connection to a series of shooting incidents that rocked the city in December 2023.

Avila, a resident of Gilson Street, was apprehended by law enforcement after being linked to multiple shooting incidents across Racine.

Numerous Shootings Unfold, Police Report

The Racine Police Department revealed that officers responded to seven separate shooting scenes between December 9 and December 10, 2023. These incidents resulted in injuries and extensive property damage, sparking concern within the community.

• First Incident: In the early hours of December 9, 2023, at 12:38 a.m., authorities were summoned to the 1200 block of Liberty Street following reports of gunfire. Three vehicles were hit by bullets, with 39 casings recovered from the scene, comprising a mixture of .40 caliber and 9mm rounds.
• Second Incident: Later that same morning, at 3:04 a.m., gunshots rang out in the 1700 block of 16th Street. A motorist reported their vehicle had been struck by bullets, and witnesses described three individuals in black attire and masks. Police recovered 13 casings of varying calibers from the scene.
• Third Incident: At 3:10 a.m., officers rushed to the 1100 block of Valley Drive, where a man identified as LS had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. LS recounted being fired upon by a dark-colored sedan, driven by a young black male. Three .40 caliber casings were discovered at the site.
• Fourth Incident: At approximately 4:44 a.m., shots were fired in the 2200 block of Layard Avenue. Investigators recovered 22 casings from 9mm and .40 caliber rounds, along with a vehicle mirror housing that was later linked to a Buick found at another shooting location.
• Fifth Incident: On December 9, 2023, at 11:25 p.m., law enforcement responded to the area of Superior Street and Barker Street for a shooting. Victim MG was found with a gunshot wound. Surveillance footage showed MG being targeted by multiple assailants as he reversed his vehicle. A total of 59 casings were recovered at the scene.
• Sixth Incident: Just minutes later, at 11:29 p.m., a residence in the 1500 block of Geneva Street was hit by gunfire while three occupants were inside. Police retrieved 25 fired casings from the site.
• Seventh Incident: On December 10, 2023, at around 7:05 p.m., officers were called to the area of Summit Avenue and Albert Street for reports of shots fired involving two vehicles. A total of 46 casings were recovered.

Investigation and Arrest Details

Authorities linked Avila and his co-defendants, DeShon T. Adams and Kamari A. Burton, to the shootings through video evidence obtained from a McDonald’s establishment. The footage depicted the suspects arriving in a vehicle linked to the shootings, dressed in distinctive clothing matching descriptions from the scenes.

A search warrant executed at Avila’s residence on January 11, 2023, led to the discovery of a 9mm ghost gun with an extended magazine in his basement bedroom. The firearm was identified as a “crime gun” through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), having been used in at least five separate shooting incidents between October 2022 and January 2024.

Investigators also obtained video evidence from December 21, 2023, showing Avila brandishing a firearm in the backseat of a vehicle and aiming it at the camera.

Previous Convictions and Charges

Avila has a history of legal entanglements. On October 18, 2022, he was adjudicated delinquent in Racine County for possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent, and possession of narcotic drugs. These offenses prohibit him from possessing a firearm.

Avila now faces the following charges:

• Count 1: Possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent, a Class G felony. Avila could face up to ten years in prison and fines of up to £25,000 if found guilty.
• Count 2: Possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, a Class A misdemeanor. Avila could be sentenced to a maximum of nine months in jail and fines of up to £10,000 if convicted.

Upcoming Legal Proceedings

Racine County Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch set a cash bond of £25,000. Avila is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. on June 20 at the Law Enforcement Center, 710 Wisconsin Avenue.

Community Concerns and Impact

These incidents have sparked apprehension among Racine residents regarding the safety of their neighborhoods. The rapid succession of shootings over a short period has heightened the urgency for increased police presence and community vigilance.

The Racine County District Attorney’s Office is spearheading the prosecution, with Avila remaining in custody as the investigation unfolds. Authorities are diligently working to ascertain the full extent of the suspect’s involvement in the shooting spree.