(Kenosha County Sheriff)
KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing two felony charges after allegedly driving a getaway vehicle from a shooting that took place at a family gathering.
Damien C. Wess was charged June 17 in Kenosha County Circuit Court with first-degree recklessly endangering safety and harboring or aiding a felon, both as a party to a crime and with repeater enhancements. He made his initial appearance the same day, where Court Commissioner William Michel II set bail at $25,000 cash. Wess remains in custody at the Kenosha County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 25.
According to the criminal complaint, Wess was identified as the driver of a black Cadillac Escalade from which co-defendant Kamal Owens allegedly exited and opened fire on a man during a dispute at a home near the 1600 block of 61st Street. Witnesses told police that Owens was angry over a former relationship and returned to the home multiple times before the shooting occurred.
One eyewitness said Owens raised a pistol and fired at the victim during a scuffle. Another witness said Wess exited the Escalade and also fired shots toward the partygoers as others tried to subdue Owens. The crowd included roughly 15 people, and multiple gunshots were reported.
Officers responding to the area later spotted the suspect vehicle and stopped it near 18th Avenue. Wess and another man were taken into custody after allegedly attempting to walk away. A spent shell casing and Wess’ identification were found inside the vehicle.
The most serious charge, first-degree recklessly endangering safety as a party to a crime with a repeater enhancement, carries a maximum penalty of up to 18 years and six months in prison if convicted. The harboring a felon charge carries a maximum of 7 years and 6 months due to the repeater status.
Wess has a prior felony conviction in Racine County for attempted possession of a firearm as an adjudicated delinquent.
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2 Responses
I’m really surprised. He looks very intelligent. 😎
He hasn’t learned his lesson as a juvenile, he is a repeat offender, keep him in jail!