MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against 33-year-old Martell Haire in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Marquis Champion near 79th and Hampton Avenue on October 20, 2025.
The charges were formally announced on Monday, October 27, as authorities continue to search for Haire, who remains at large. The Milwaukee Police Department has issued a public plea for information regarding his whereabouts, urging anyone with knowledge of his location to come forward.
Charges Filed
According to court records, Martell Haire faces the following serious criminal counts:
- First-Degree Reckless Homicide
- First-Degree Reckless Injury (Two Counts)
- First-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
If convicted on all counts, Haire could face more than 141 years in prison and fines totaling up to $250,000.
The Crime
The fatal shooting took place around 79th and Hampton on the evening of October 20th, shaking the Milwaukee community and leaving three families forever changed. Surveillance footage from the area captured the moments before and after the gunfire — a burst of 12 shots fired in just six seconds — which sent young people running for their lives.
According to investigators, 16-year-old Marquis Champion, a student at Bay View High School, was struck and killed at the scene. Two other victims, ages 17 and 18, were wounded but survived their injuries.
The footage reportedly shows someone running away from the area approximately 20 seconds before the shots rang out. Immediately after the gunfire, the video captures chaos and heartbreak as friends screamed for help and tried to save those who had been hit.
A Family and Community in Mourning
In a deeply emotional statement, Milwaukee Alderman Mark Chambers confirmed that the victim, Marquis Champion, was his nephew.
“A week ago tonight, on October 20th, my 16-year-old nephew, Marquis Champion, was tragically taken from us in a senseless act of violence during a triple shooting near 79th and Hampton,” Alderman Chambers said.
“Marquis was full of life, and he brought joy to everyone around him. He wasn’t a troublemaker; he was a good kid with a bright spirit and a big heart. Losing him has left our family shattered and in deep mourning. He had so many dreams ahead of him.”
Chambers went on to express gratitude for the community’s support while urging the public to help law enforcement locate Haire, saying, “I’m asking for the community’s help in finding justice for Marquis.”
As the family prepares for Marquis’s funeral and burial, they are asking for privacy, prayers, and understanding during this unimaginably painful time.
Search for the Suspect
The Milwaukee Police Department continues to actively search for Martell Haire, who remains not in custody. Officials have issued a citywide alert and are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him.
Anyone with information regarding Haire’s location is urged to contact Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS (8477) or submit tips through the P3 Tips app.
A Call for Peace
The death of Marquis Champion — a beloved teenager, student, and family member — has once again underscored the urgent need to address gun violence in Milwaukee. Community leaders, clergy, and residents have voiced their grief, calling for unity, justice, and renewed efforts to create safer neighborhoods for the city’s youth.
As the investigation continues, the Milwaukee community stands together in mourning, honoring Marquis’s memory while demanding accountability and an end to senseless violence.
Rest in Peace, Marquis Champion.
Your light will never be forgotten.
