Man who killed brother gets 30 years
A Milwaukee man who shot and killed his brother last December was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison.
Shawn Rowsey, 36, had been arguing with his brother, Rodney, 53, before he drew a gun on him in a rage and chased him around the house, shooting him multiple times. His mother and sister witnessed the killing. Rowsey was charged with two counts: first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon.
“(Your family’s) hearts are torn apart, not just because Rodney is dead, but because you killed him,” Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Mark Sanders told Rowsey. “It’s just terribly tragic and sad, for everybody.”
According to District Attorney Michael Lonski, the details of the brothers’ fatal argument remain unknown. Rowsey claims to not remember anything that occurred that day. His attorney, Reyna Morales, noted that police found a high concentration of alcohol in the victim, which she said suggested that Shawn Rowsey was also intoxicated and is genuine in his claims of blacking out.
The argument between Rowsey and the victim began at a residence on North 53rd Street, where two shots were likely fired into the air, based on bullet casings recovered at the scene.
Rowsey and his brother then parted ways. Later, Rowsey came to his brother’s residence at 4187 N. 16th St, where he resumed the argument that eventually escalated into open violence.
Since 2001, Shawn Rowsey has been twice convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon. He also has been previously convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and charged with disorderly conduct while armed.
“This is what he does in front of his mother, his sister, and a young relative that was in the area, against his brother,” Lonski said. “For heaven’s sake, if that’s how he treats his loved ones, he is a danger to everybody that isn’t one of his loved ones.”
Rowsey expressed remorse, apologizing to his family members and claiming “full responsibility” for his actions. Still, he insisted that he wasn’t himself the night the fatal shooting occurred.
“I’m not that person,” Rowsey said. “I would’ve never hurt my brother if I knew what I was doing, if I was in the right mind. I never hurt anybody in my family ever before.”