(Kenosha DA’s Office)
(Crime Scene Photos by Incident Response)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Adam Scott Threlkeld, 45, of Milwaukee, was formally charged Monday with seven felonies stemming from the Sept. 20 shooting death of Antero Medina III, 33, of Kenosha, inside Shenanigan’s and the alleged attempted murders of two Kenosha Police officers minutes later. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set Threlkeld’s bail at $5 million cash while Threlkeld remained hospitalized from gunshot wounds suffered during the encounter with police.
(Kenosha DA’s Office)
Threlkeld is charged with first-degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon, two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with use of a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and felony bail jumping with use of a dangerous weapon.
The attempted-homicide charges name Kenosha Police Officers Samuel Gibbons and Nikki Schend as the alleged targets. Each attempted-homicide count carries up to 60 years in prison, while the first-degree intentional homicide charge carries a mandatory life sentence upon conviction.
Threlkeld remains hospitalized in custody. His initial appearance was adjourned Monday and is now scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, before Kellum.
Complaint Details Confrontation Inside Shenanigan’s
The newly filed nine-page criminal complaint provides the most detailed account yet of what police say happened inside Shenanigan’s, 2427 52nd St., before Medina was killed.
Police were dispatched at about 8:25 p.m. and found Medina on the floor near a pool table, bleeding heavily from a wound in the center of his chest. He had no pulse, and officers began lifesaving efforts until Kenosha Fire Department personnel arrived. Medina was pronounced dead at the scene.
A bartender told police Medina had already been at the bar when Threlkeld and another man arrived. She said Threlkeld and Medina eventually began arguing, with Threlkeld telling Medina he was “from Milwaukee” and making a statement about being related to a gang. She said Threlkeld became louder and more aggressive and at one point pressed his forehead against the side of Medina’s forehead while Medina was seated.
The bartender told investigators she heard Medina repeatedly tell Threlkeld, “I’m just a bitch ass nigga.” Medina also allegedly told Threlkeld to back up and not touch him.
Another woman told investigators she had been outside smoking marijuana with Medina shortly before the shooting when Threlkeld and another man approached them and attempted to sell them marijuana. She said they declined, but the group talked before returning inside.
Surveillance video reviewed by investigators allegedly shows the confrontation escalating after the group returned to the bar. At about 8:22 p.m., Medina walked away while speaking on his phone. Medina’s girlfriend later told police Medina called her and asked her to come pick him up, telling her to hurry because he was “into some shit.”
According to the complaint, Threlkeld continued approaching Medina and getting close to his face. Medina returned to his seat at the bar, where investigators said the argument became heated. A detective reviewing the video reported Medina appeared to be avoiding Threlkeld and was not reaching for anything.
At 8:24:50 p.m., police say the video shows Threlkeld reach into his waistband or pocket and pull out a handgun with his right hand. He allegedly concealed the gun behind his right leg with the muzzle pointed toward the floor as a woman stood between the men trying to separate them.
Fourteen seconds later, at 8:25:04 p.m., Threlkeld allegedly raised the handgun, pointed it directly at Medina and fired one round toward his chest.
Medina stumbled about six steps before collapsing near the pool table, according to the complaint. Investigators said Threlkeld followed Medina as he stumbled and, once Medina fell, turned around and walked out the north door while attempting to put the gun into his waistband.
A preliminary autopsy found the bullet entered Medina’s chest and traveled through his chest wall, mediastinum and left upper lung toward his back. The injuries included blood around the heart and in the left side of his chest.
“I Wasn’t Trying To Kill Anyone Except The Motherfucker I Shot”
Police located Threlkeld near 53rd Street and 24th Avenue. Investigators said a 9mm semi-automatic Derya pistol was recovered.
According to the complaint, Threlkeld began making statements captured on police body-worn cameras shortly after he was detained. At about 8:36 p.m., Threlkeld allegedly said words to the effect of, “I shot center mass.”
Minutes later, he allegedly said, “I wasn’t shooting center mass, I wasn’t trying to kill anyone,” before adding, “I wasn’t trying to kill anyone except the motherfucker I shot.”
Police recovered a spent 9mm casing from underneath a high-top table near where Threlkeld and Medina had been standing.
Complaint: Threlkeld Fired 15 Rounds During Attack On Officers
The complaint provides substantially more detail about the gun battle with Gibbons and Schend.
Investigators said Gibbons and Schend returned to their patrol vehicles after radio traffic reported a man heading east from the area. Both officers then drove north on 24th Avenue toward 53rd Street in marked Kenosha Police squads with their emergency lights activated.
At least two gunshots can be heard on squad video as the officers approach the intersection, according to the complaint. Threlkeld then allegedly continued moving toward Gibbons.
Gibbons took cover behind his squad as Threlkeld moved laterally in front of him. Investigators reported seeing a muzzle flash as Threlkeld continued closing the distance.
Racine County Sheriff’s Investigator Sparks wrote that Threlkeld appeared to be holding an object in an aiming position as he advanced and that his movements appeared designed to obtain “a position of advantage” that would give him a clear shot at Gibbons.
Gibbons moved around his squad to maintain cover while exchanging gunfire with Threlkeld. His body camera captured several shots as he exited his squad and another exchange of gunfire seconds later.
Schend was driving directly behind Gibbons when she heard the gunfire, according to investigators. She stopped, quickly exited through her driver’s door and moved behind her squad for cover. Schend then moved from the driver’s side to the passenger side and back before another exchange of gunfire was captured on her body camera.
Threlkeld eventually fell to the ground, and Gibbons began issuing commands for him to surrender.
Investigators recovered Threlkeld’s Derya Arms 9mm handgun with an empty magazine. The magazine was designed to hold 15 rounds, and investigators said the handgun could carry 16 rounds when one was chambered.
Preliminary evidence indicates Threlkeld fired one round inside Shenanigan’s and another 15 rounds at the second scene. Gibbons’ squad was struck several times, including in the hood, windows and tires.
“I Was Supposed To Die”
The complaint details several additional statements Threlkeld allegedly made while being guarded at the hospital.
“This isn’t fair. I was supposed to die. I didn’t want to hurt anybody, only the motherfucker who deserved to die,” Threlkeld allegedly said.
“I tried to shoot at the cops, I did shoot the cops,” he allegedly said.
Threlkeld also allegedly said, “I emptied an entire 15 round clip into their tires and lights then they shot me down in the legs.”
“It would be different if I shot a cop, but I fucking shot a gangbanger. The fuck,” Threlkeld allegedly said. “He told me I was a bitch and wasn’t going to shoot him. I’m from Milwaukee, not Kenosha, we don’t play games. I should have never got off in this town.”
“I hope he dies. I had to teach him a lesson,” he allegedly added.
Threlkeld later allegedly complained about being shot after running out of ammunition.
“You know what’s crazy is I ran out of bullets and my slide was back way before I was shot,” Threlkeld allegedly said. “So I don’t understand why I was shot. They shot at me like 20 times before I got shot. I was out of ammo by the time I got to the car and then they shot me. It doesn’t make any fucking sense. I still don’t understand how I made it that close. I wish I had another clip. I shoulda walked past the squad and shot the taillights out.”
At another point, police say Threlkeld told a nurse, “Are you testing me out bro, the last motherfucker that tested me out, I put a hole in his chest,” before adding, “Sorry I didn’t mean that.”
Milwaukee Police Officer Allegedly Punched In Earlier Case
The felony bail-jumping charge ties Sunday’s shootings directly to Threlkeld’s still-pending Milwaukee County criminal case.
That case began Sept. 2, 2024, when Threlkeld allegedly approached a uniformed Milwaukee Police officer working the security desk at the Milwaukee Police Administration Building. The officer told investigators Threlkeld smelled of alcohol and became irate when the officer would not provide the assistance he requested. Threlkeld also reportedly asked for assistance from Milwaukee Police officers who had since retired.
Threlkeld allegedly pulled out a small knife and began carving letters into the security desk’s bulletproof glass. The officer called for assistance, and when other officers arrived, Threlkeld allegedly punched the officer in the right eye with a closed fist, causing pain and damaging his glasses. Police arrested Threlkeld and recovered the knife.
He was subsequently charged with felony battery to a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor criminal damage to property.
Threlkeld was released on no-cash bail in that case with conditions that included committing no new crimes. He later pleaded guilty to both charges as part of his admission into Milwaukee County Drug Treatment Court, but the court withheld entry of the judgments of conviction under a deferred prosecution agreement.
As previously reported by Kenosha County Eye, court records show Threlkeld was later commended for his compliance with Drug Treatment Court, awarded four points, became eligible for a program “fishbowl” and was awarded a $50 gift card.
The new Kenosha complaint alleges those Milwaukee bail conditions remained in effect Sept. 20 when Threlkeld committed the crimes now charged in Kenosha County.
Felon Allegedly Armed With 9mm
Threlkeld is separately charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
Prosecutors cite his May 24, 1999, Milwaukee County felony conviction for taking and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent as the conviction prohibiting him from possessing a firearm.
Threlkeld has an extensive criminal history stretching back decades and has served multiple prison sentences.
District Attorney Xavier Solis electronically signed the criminal complaint Monday, with Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus listed as the complainant.
Threlkeld remains hospitalized in custody. His initial appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, before Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum.
