(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Evan Braithwaite Jr., 16, of Kenosha
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KENOSHA, Wis. — Judge Chad Kerkman (D) has denied a request by prosecutors to try 16-year-old Evan Braithwaite Jr. as an adult after he was arrested with a loaded firearm in his possession at Mary D. Bradford High School on February 11, 2026, solidifying that the case will remain in juvenile court.
Braithwaite was formally charged in juvenile court weeks ago following the February 11 incident, but this week’s decision by Kerkman ensures the case will not be transferred to adult court despite the severity of the allegations.
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According to the criminal complaint, Braithwaite faces allegations of possession of a firearm on school premises, possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, resisting an officer, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of THC.
The charges stem from the February 11, 2026 incident in which school administrators and a Kenosha Police Department school resource officer attempted to search Braithwaite after receiving an anonymous Speak Up, Speak Out tip that he may have brought a weapon to school. When approached, Braithwaite displayed characteristics of being armed and refused to comply with officers, resulting in a physical struggle before he was subdued.
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Police ultimately recovered a concealed, loaded firearm from Braithwaite during the encounter.
During the struggle, administrators placed the school on a temporary hold while additional officers responded. District officials later said that at no time were threats made toward students or staff, and the school resumed normal operations once the situation was under control.
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A law enforcement source told Kenosha County Eye there was a real possibility the encounter could have ended in deadly force, given that officers were physically struggling with an armed individual inside a school.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis confirmed to Kenosha County Eye that his office sought to have Braithwaite tried as an adult but was denied by the court.
“We filed a petition in juvenile court and petitioned the court to waive the juvenile into adult court. The judge denied that request,” Solis said in an email. “Because this is a juvenile matter, I cannot comment further. My office will continue to do everything legally possible to protect children in our schools from individuals who bring guns onto school grounds.”
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Sources indicate that the Kenosha County Division of Children and Family Services recommended that Braithwaite remain in the juvenile system, stating it was in both his best interest and that of the community. The recommendation also included the possibility that Braithwaite could be released back into the community and potentially return to school.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman did not respond to an inquiry from Kenosha County Eye asking why she supports and agrees with her department’s recommendation in this case.
The denial means Braithwaite will remain in the juvenile system, where penalties are significantly more limited than in adult court.
The incident involving Braithwaite was one of several recent weapon-related cases at Bradford High School that escalated concerns across the district and ultimately contributed to a major policy shift. In the weeks that followed, the Kenosha Unified School Board unanimously approved the installation of metal detectors at all high schools along with expanded search policies, citing repeated incidents involving students and firearms.
For many parents and taxpayers, the connection is raising new questions: if cases like Braithwaite’s helped prompt the district to install metal detectors, what consequences will actually deter students from bringing guns to school?
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha Unified School District board member Bob Tierney, who has been a leading voice in pushing for metal detectors and stronger school safety measures, said that while he was not familiar with all the details of this specific case, the broader issue is clear.
“In general, when a 16-year-old is old enough to drive and chooses to bring a gun and drugs into a school and then physically fight with police, that’s serious conduct that should be considered for adult court,” Tierney said.
Critics of Kerkman, a Democrat, say his decision to keep 16-year-old Evan Braithwaite Jr. in juvenile court after bringing a loaded gun to school highlights what they view as a broader contradiction — that while he advocates for stricter gun laws, he has declined to treat serious gun offenses like this one as adult crimes under laws already on the books.
The case has intensified debate in the community over how juvenile offenders accused of bringing weapons into schools are handled, especially as the district moves forward with new security measures aimed at preventing the next incident.
Editor’s Note: In Smith v. Daily Mail Publishing Co., the United States Supreme Court held that the government cannot punish the truthful publication of lawfully obtained information, including the identity of a juvenile involved in a criminal matter. Kenosha County Eye has chosen to publish the name and photo of Evan Braithwaite Jr. for community safety purposes. We do not make that decision lightly. Many members of the public would want to know if someone in their community — including a neighbor — brought a loaded firearm to a school at age 16.
92 Responses
Hey Chad, he is not like your kid. Separate the two.
This kid thought an adult thing, knew it was not a kid thing, did whatever to get a gun and then bring it. All as an adult.
What would you do if one of your kids was killed at school by this supposed kid? After doing these adult things.
Damn Chad, pull your head out. And Samantha, u are almost a lost cause.
That nobody has got the stones to run against her !!!
WTF ?!? What does she have to do, or more importantly, NOT DO to get challenged in a primary ?!?
Face it Folks, she’s in for life !!!
There is not a single R in the effen County that will run against her !!
Why is that ??
The “Rs” are as deeply corrupt as the “Ds”, though they ride the back seat and grift comfortably if they shut-up and go along to get along. And many “Rs”are “D” infiltrators, like Zig-Zag Zoerner. The elite spectrum of D/R is the Uniparty. And in today’s Western feminized culture, females of Kerkman’s type (Affluent White Urban Female Liberals) have the greatest cultural influence that affect social, political, and legal power.
Why is that?
She has a lot iof money. It was rolled in from all the earlier runs. It is why incumbents run and run and run. That donation pot grows and eventually you have enough signs so that expense is gone and profit. If a new gop runs, donate heavily and help. Donate time too and provide public visibility. Anyone running will have a hard road. For example look at this comment section and the crap against Decker. Let’s Find a strong candidate and work to Shutdown kerkmanville.
Term limits helps and stops the endless donations and puts the candidates on an even plain.or change the laws on campaign financing and rollovers. Feds too. This rollover is why Mitch and Pelosi and the other biggies are powerful. They can use their generous fund account to blackmail or support their positions. Have a great day.
Please vote for Tiffany and Lazar
Is Tom a quitter too?
Tom is not a quitter. He is still doing his job. Duffy is a quitter. He left many months before his term ended
Bob, 70, stares at the news like it owes him an apology. “Trump said he’d fix everything,” he mutters, ignoring the screaming headlines. “Aliens, taxes, probably my golf swing too!” When his grandson gently suggests maybe he was wrong, Bob gasps. “Wrong? Me? Son, admitting that is like saying my socks are wrong for the 80s. Impossible. Totally impossible.” He nods at Twitter, where other boomers nod back in unison, all agreeing that any disappointment is obviously caused by neocons, the Illuminati, or Monday mornings—just not him.
What does this have to do with Trump? He’s livin’ rent free in your head
Has nothing to do with stones. No one wants that job. It’s meaningless. They make shitty money. No thanks.
County executive is a little over
$10.K a month. $120.K a year.
For what’s required probably not enough for a knowledgeable worthy person.
But a more dedicated business minded Conservative could make a go of it.
Are you saying we need to raise the salary to entice a more experienced person ?
Amanda Nedweski only makes $61.K a year. Sam’s salary in Madison was even less.
Amanda is doing amazing things.
Other individuals in state government like Robin Vos have other sources of income.
If Salary is a problem to recruit a good candidate then how do we fix that here in Kenosha County ?
giving Sam Kerkman 10k a month is like flushing 10k a month down the toilet. She is a worthless scumbag. Chad is just as bad. They are a stain on the county
Are you running? Doubtful. You must not have the “stones”.
Stones huh? Turns out the ‘Rules-Based Order’ just means we destroy our own currency to let Tel Aviv call the shots in Tehran. I’m sure my grocery bill will be much lower once the dollar is worth less than the paper it’s printed on. Thanks for the brilliant strategy, guys.
It’s a dirty thankless job !
But someone with the desire needs to know they would have backing to run.
That’s where Sandy comes in.
And we know how that works
They js need to free my cousin man
Its because hes black. Let it be a white kid and they’d throw the book at him.
And im not saying the white kid should get any less. It should be Equal punishment for equal crimes.
This homo judge wont do that though because hes a woke liberal progressive.
Are you stupid ? White or black these kids need to learn he’s 16 years old not 8 he’s old enough to know not to bring a gun to school
Its a problem with the black youth overall , sorry not sorry.
Statistics prove it. Especially when they grow older. 13 percent of the population/ 60 percent of the violent crime. Especially gun violence. 8/10 times its black on black crime. Look at chicago, milwaukee, kenosha. Thkse numbers dont lie.
Yup.
Numbers don’t lie.
You missed his point . Try again , and show your work.
That’s the crazy part is, I literally said, white or black they should get the same punishment
This child has had no chance. Look up the family name. So disappointed to read this as I know this family, and the odds have been against all of their kids literally their whole young lives . He has been exposed to and seen no different. Just sick about this.
What 🤣🤣 didn’t Kyle rittenhouse kill someone and walked completely free?
They deserved it
Self defense that was justified. Rittenhouse is also hispanic idiot
Why does race matter? He was still a minor who killed people and got away with it. This whole situation with Evan was uncalled for and he shouldn’t have brought a weapon on school grounds knowing there could be consequences, but it’s not like he killed somebody, unlike the minor Kyle did. Evan did not harm anybody , he just made a dumb decision. But they want to continue the hold him while Kyle walked free after uncalled for murder. Kenosha police system is wicked and unfair.
It was unfair when you received a less than adequate brain at birth .
But here you are.
Plus, his hands are crippled and deformed, just like his friends. Bad genes.
And the gun was jewelry, decorations, a fkn shoNtell prop
Oh fukn puhlease
Dumbass comment of the day
Tried and found innocent. Didn’t walk free. Kyle made Gravely and Binger look like asses and Judge Schoeder (an old-style patriot rational Democrat that ran a no nonsense court) expertly directed the proceedings.
He ran as a Democrat way back in the 70’s. Everything else since then was “non-partisan”. Do you really think he’s still a Democrat? lol
Walked? He had a trial you clown
As they should
Precisely. However, the fault lies with Whites themselves that allow White officialdom to screw their own kind repeatedly without negative consequences.
Yawn.
Yawn = Stupid
What does color have to do with a kid bringing a gun to school ? How dumb are you, If color is the only thing you see, then your literally the racist
Kerkman should be reassigned next election to the public defender’s office.
Kerkman should just be kicked to the curb!! They are both useless!!
How did a 16 yr old have a gun? Where r the parents? Sure glad no kids or grandkids in school anymore.
Parents LMAO he hasn’t had a dad, mom doesn’t care about lack of men in her life she moves to the next one.
The father ( sperm donor) is MIA.
Kerkmans are pedos and liars
Ive heard that too. I heard Chad likes chads. Lol
Bradford is a horrible school especially the assistant principal morris giving kotarek hand handjobs, they don’t focus on getting the students the staff just gossip and literally unprofessional
but if he was white…
Rotten-house, ridden-house, oh something like that.
Rittenhouse wasn’t in a school, dumbass. Rittenhouse was in compliance with the law, whether you like it or not. Wisconsin Statute 948.60(3)(c)
Sooo what does color have to do with a kid bringing a gun to school ? Did you even read the article or just skim thru it ?
well well well…Another democrat putting our students and neighborhoods in danger.
Good maybe this kid FAFO and someone offs him. Problem solved.
Looks like a wannabe gangsta to me, keep throwing the forks up until you get spooned homie 🤣
You know kids are gonna keep this up if there is no true punishment for this and it will also set a precedent if it is taken seriously and the punishment is serious I mean he should be held accountable for his actions you want to act like an adult you get treated like one and guns in school should be treated with zero tolerance
What a tool, his pics show how retarded he is 🤣 his wanna be gang banger pals are dbags also. LMAO get a life loser
Well, Kerkmen *(s) obviously missed the Roosevelt student who re-offended? Here’s the larger problem: student may be, should be expelled for this behavior and will then be re-enrolled in another school /district. The problem moves “up-the-road.” Charge the parents for exposing a child to a weapon, leave the student in the adult court system. Adult behavior warrants adult consequences.
Remember when they forced integration on us at gunpoint? Pepperidge Farms remembers. They have no place in a civilized society.
Yea, we have to round them all up and warehouse them all!
Yawn. Troll on, troll.
Ain’t nobody trolling. The je w s brought them to Christian White countries to collapse them. Its working. Read Mein Kampf. He was right…
Lmao I’d rather not put on your tinfoil hat.
The Braithwaite family has made it’s mark on Kenosha since the 1990’s. Lot of weed and guns go with that. I vote for sterilization.
Is this the same braithwaite family that had a family member kill and rape that poor girl years back?
His criminal career is just getting started. Havent seen the last of him on KCE
He’s in the Thug Apprenticeship program at Bradford. He is the head of the Advanced carjacking class !
This kid couldn’t carjack a bike. Hopefully he tries and someone puts him 6 feet under.
Not surprised, and I don’t know why the public is shocked. If you’re under 18, you can get away with just about anything: threats, drugs, murder, and deformation of other’s character. But soon at that magical clock rolls over and the little hand points to 18, then that person are somehow different, and the pressures of the world’s laws actually mean something. Interesting.
Not me, fist fight at 16, tried as adult, record expunged. But still shows on my FBI background check.
Wonder how many felonies the Braithwaite family has committed in Kenosha in the last 20 years? Keep giving them the kid gloves though…..
Any relation to Joshua Braithwaite?
Thank you for putting the truth out there Kevin….
Chad Kerkman is a depraved mind Reprobate.
Is this the same family of Joshua Braithwaite? the man that killed that girl in 2012 in Nedwiski park on the north side? Any relation just curious?
That last name Braithwaite is never in a positive light. Always associated with crime!
Maybe they’ll name us to school after him. They named one after that liberal activist Mahone .. ignore
I’ve been seeing Chad Kerkman at the YMCA a lot lately. In tight fitting clothes. I think he’s hot !
Being a total loser is definitely family tradition for them
I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve the sit for a dumb action he has made, every action made has a consequence. But he’s also a young and dumb teenager. Anybody that personally knew him would know he’s a good, and smart kid, with goals. I don’t know why he would have decided to make such a dumbass decision, or hang with the wrong crowd, but I think that his there trying to charge him is fair due to his age and what he did but also an act of racism. Kyle rittenhouse got away with murder as a minor, due to the color of his skin, while Evan did not murder anybody he judt made a stupid choice .
Really? Kyle was being assaulted, they are the dumb asses to bring skate boards to a gun fight. This thug will go nowhere in life, society is better off if they take care of him now.
You are very stupid .
Those pictures are worth a thousand words. Send him off to hell.
Has to shoot, ey Chad?
Terrible to see so many teens doing stuff that ruins their future. If more could stay out of trouble with the police and graduate high school, then they could experience all that the military offers including endless opportunities for training in good fields, like cyber, medical, fire fighting, heavy equipment operation, aviation, you name it, as well as college. Maturity, life experience, and a way out from their Kenosha area family and friends that don’t want to see anyone do better for themselves.
Military don’t want clowns.
Braithwaites doing Braithwaite stuff
He is a punk!
maybe instead of asking why a child brought a gun to school, maybe we should ask why did the child feel the need to bring a gun to school? fear for his safety? maybe a lack of father figure? not saying what the kid did was right but hes 16 in kenosha… a complete shit hole dead city maybe if they had better resources to help kids before things like this happen wed be looking at a different outcome.
Let em off easy this time. wait a couple weeks he’ll be back in the headlines.
Have to say, keep up the work!