4 Chicago men charged in fatal shooting at Milwaukee Taco Bell following high-end car thefts

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Four men from Chicago have been charged in a deadly shooting that took place in early May near a Milwaukee Taco Bell. Officials have also linked the case to an organized stolen car crime.

The 18-page criminal complaint details what happened on May 5, 2024, at around 6:20 p.m., where 41-year-old Stanley Smith Jr. was shot and killed at 5630 West North Avenue.

In court, prosecutors identified the suspects as Lamont Stanton, 19, Correnthis Neal, 18, Tramaine Walton, 17, and Jovani Velazquez, 30.

Stanton faces 10 charges, among them first-degree reckless homicide, party to a crime, felony weapon and attempt armed carjacking.

The three other individuals have been charged with felony murder, party to a crime, weapon and attempt armed carjacking.

"Mr. Stanton and his codefendants are part of a crew that live in Chicago, are from Chicago and come to Milwaukee in order to steal high-end SUVs," said Milwaukee Co. District Attorney Daniel Flaherty. "These vehicles retail between $70,000 to $90,000."

The complaint states Smith had been at a restaurant & lounge called 'Scene One' just a block from where the shooting took place.

An announcement was made warning people that cars in the parking lot were being broken into.

"When they did that the victim SS intervened to try to prevent them from doing so," explained Attorney Flaherty.

Smith was allegedly seen tussling with masked men near his black SUV when he was ultimately shot and killed.

"Striking him with four bullets, including two in the head," added Attorney Flaherty.

Last Tuesday, a police chase in downtown Milwaukee led to the arrests of Stanton, Walton and Neal. Velazquez was arrested just a few days later after police tracked his phone.

As previously mentioned, Stanton faces 10 charges; Neal faces nine, Velazquez faces 11 and Walton faces eight.

Their preliminary hearing is set for June 6.