Man found guilty in Brownstone Social Lounge shooting sentenced to 40 years in prison

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The man found guilty in a triple shooting inside the Brownstone Social Lounge on Milwaukee's Water Street has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Jordan Tate, 26, was convicted in the case back in July. Tuesday, Aug. 29, a judge sentenced Tate for the three felony charges against him, one of those charges is for the homicide of 31-year-old Krystal Tucker.

Tucker was working at the door of Brownstone Social Lounge on Water Street on Feb. 10, 2022, when Tate opened fire through the doorway. Tate fired five shots, hitting and killing Tucker and injuring two security guards who he had gotten into an argument with over the bar's age policy. On the night of the shooting, you had to be at least 27 years old to enter after 9 p.m. Prosecutors say Tate was already inside before 9 p.m. but became upset when his sister and girlfriend showed up and were not allowed inside.

Tate was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison, 30 of those years for the homicide charge and the remaining 10 years for injuring the two security guards. Tate was also given 16 years extended supervision. He will be nearly 70 years old before he's eligible for extended supervision.

During the trial and sentencing, the defense argued that Tate was acting out of self-defense. 

Before handing down the sentence, Judge Jean Marie Kies said she intended to set an example that violence in Milwaukee will not be tolerated.

"Our public demands that these shootings stop. The number of homicides in our community last year was the highest ever. The number of shootings in our community was over a thousand I believe. By the grace of emergency medical care, we don't have more homicides," said Judge Kies.

Judge Kies went on to say that people need to start treating each other with decency, respect, and humanity and that her sentencing decision was meant to deter further violence from Tate and others. 

Both of Tucker's parents spoke virtually during the sentencing. "No amount of praying, wishing, hoping, no amount of hating, anger, arguing resentment or punishment is going to bring Krystal back and I accept that even though it makes me so sad," said Barbara Tucker, Krystal's mother. 

Joseph Tucker expressed his pain and shared that his birthday is coming up, but he won't be able to enjoy it fully without his daughter.

"I won't hear her say, 'Happy birthday, Pops.' I won't hear her laughter," he said.

The pain runs deep for the families on both sides of this case. The court received letters from Tate's loved ones asking for mercy. Tate's aunt spoke in court on her nephew's behalf.

"We all know the truth. My nephew was defending himself," she said.

Shelly Robinson went on to explain that she had trouble sleeping every night and the entire family is hurting.

Tate also spoke to the court. He apologized to the Tucker family and expressed remorse. 

"I know it may be hard to believe my remorse due to the fact that I left the scene. It was fear that paralyzed me. Trying to come to grips with the fact that I was being accused of taking a life, especially a woman's life, knowing what all the women in my life mean to me," he said.

Following the shooting, Tate went on the run for nearly nine months. An anonymous tip to Milwaukee Crime Stoppers led to Tate's arrest in Glendale.

Tate has 20 days to appeal the judge's sentence if he chooses. A restitution hearing has been set for Oct. 20.