Suspect charged in death of missing 15-year-old boy
Malik M. Terrell was charged Monday with first-degree intentional homicide-party to a crime in the death of Dennis L. King, police said in a news release Monday night.
Dennis, 15, had been missing for a week before his body was discovered Sunday on North 11th Street near West Keefe Avenue, about a block from where he was last seen, police said.
Police have not said how he was killed or a possible motive, nor did they give Terrell’s age. The investigation continues, the news release said.
The teen was the victim of “a senseless act of violence,” his mother, Dombanee Lincoln, wrote in an online fundraising page. She is seeking help paying for his funeral. More than $5,000 has been donated as of Monday.
At least one Milwaukee news station, WISN-TV (Channel 12), has cited family members saying Dennis was beaten to death over an allegation of a video game system theft.
Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters Monday it was a “totally senseless act that resulted in his death.”
Milwaukee police had asked Saturday for the public’s help in trying to find Dennis, whom they classified as critically missing. The alert was canceled about 5 a.m. Sunday.
At a vigil Sunday evening, Dennis was remembered as a smart, sweet young man, who enjoyed playing basketball and creating art, according to other media reports.
He was a student at James Madison High School.
“Our community has lost another son and it’s obviously our commitment that no parent should have to bury a child in this community,” Reggie Moore, director of the city’s Office of Violence Prevention, said in an interview.
Donations to the funeral fund for Dennis King can be made online at www.gofundme.com/ help dennis king.
Mary Spicuzza of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.