Preliminary Hearing Set in Gang-Related Shooting

A man accused of shooting at two brothers during a house party is expected to have a preliminary hearing next week.

Severo Villarreal, 22, of Racine, was charged by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office with two felony counts of first-degree reckless endangerment last month.

If convicted of both counts, Villarreal faces up to 27 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines.

According to a report by the Caledonia Police Department, numerous people reported shots being fired at 2:55 a.m. at Dec. 12 in the 2200 block of Tara Drive.

When they arrived, they found at least 25 people armed with knives, hammers and shovels fighting in the street.

According to the criminal complaint, officers found the gun, which was loaded at the time it was recovered, in a bedroom in the residence.

Juan Salazar, 18, of Kenosha, Jaime and Villarreal were fighting when he produced a gun from inside his coat and pointed it at Jamie. Juan said he pushed Jaime out of the way to avoid being shot. Villarreal fired three rounds, two at Jaime and one at him. The gunshots missed both of the brothers, and they ran to their car and fled the scene.

Jaime, 20, of Kenosha, told police Villarreal pointed the gun at him within inches of his face.

"I didn't know how close I came to dying that night," he told police.

John Barnes, who served as the interim police chief at the time, said they suspect the incident was gang-related because of several text messages they were able to get access to.

According to reports released by police, the homeowner's son was having his 20th birthday party when the fight started inside the residence and then spilled outside. The homeowner, who had returned just prior to the fight starting, yelled to her son to wrap up the party after realizing someone had taken her kitchen knives. 

Shortly after, the homeowner's son told police he heard what sounded like someone getting hit, according to police reports. He also heard a "thump," "thump," "thump" sound outside.

Police found some partygoers had inhaled nitrous oxide from a compressed gas tank, which was found in a garden shed. Police also reported finding multiple cases of beer, a cooking tray with Jell-O shots, empty cellophane bags with marijuana seeds, cigars and a full box of Winchester Smith & Wesson 40-caliber hollow-point bullets.

The preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. at April 28.