An Illinois man, who was charged today with attempted murder and other serious felonies, faces 128 years in a Wisconsin prison for shooting three people on Saturday, August 20, 2022. At Las Margaritas (2322 Roosevelt Rd), many people were celebrating a birthday when the 31-year-old Damon Blakey got into a physical confrontation with a friend of his and got punched in the face. A short time later, police and prosecutors say, Blakey grabbed a gun from his car and started shooting into a crowd of about 5-6 people. His intended target was shot in the back near his neck, his upper arm, and through his hand. He was bleeding profusely, but Kenosha Police Officers quickly treated the man’s many wounds and likely saved his life. He told police he was about to pass out and thought he was going to die. Two women were also shot. One woman was shot in the breast (in and out) and was released soon after arriving at the hospital. The other woman, who’s birthday was being celebrated, sustained major injuries and was intubated and needed blood transfusions. She was kept sedated. She was shot in her left hip and right shoulder.

Paid Advertisement

According to Kenosha Police Sergeant Jeff Galley, all victims are expected to survive.

Paid Advertisement

Most of the shooting and confrontation was captured on camera. Blakey ditched the gun in a trash can that was on the side off the road. A witness told a 9-1-1 operator about the ditching of the gun, who told police. It was recovered quickly. Blakey initially denied being the shooter, but then told detectives, “fuck it.” He then gave a full confession on video where he said he grabbed the gun after being punched and began to “blow” meaning shoot. He said he shot at the man because he punched his tooth out. He described his gun as being gray and black. He told police he extended the gun out with his right hand and began to shoot into the crowd of 5 or 6 people. He said he was shooting at no one in particular but then targeted the man who punched him. When he learned that the birthday girl who is his friend was shot he started to sob. He told police he bought the gun on the “streets” but not Kenosha.

Paid Advertisement

Kenosha Assistant District Attorney T. Clair Binger appeared for the state today and asked for a $250,000 cash bond. He said that Blakey has no ties to this community and that he admitted to shooting unarmed people as a convicted felon. Binger said that “[Blakey] was not using reasonable self-defense here.” Defense Attorney Zachary Caley argued for a “reasonable cash bond” and said Blakey only had $10,000 to post.

Paid Advertisement

Court Commissioner Loren Keating called the allegations “incredibly serious” before setting Blakey’s bail at $500,000, double the amount requested by Binger. Keating also took issue that Blakey tossed the gun in a place where “anyone could have located it.”

Paid Advertisement

Blakey will have his preliminary examination on August 31, 2022 at 8:15am.