A wedding celebration at the Aria banquet hall in Milwaukee devolved into chaos when an argument over table manners erupted into gunfire, leaving two people injured and authorities searching for the alleged shooter, according to a criminal complaint obtained by local ABC affiliate WISN.
Thomas Redrick Williams, 41, has been charged with two counts of first-degree reckless injury with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and bail jumping in connection with the June 20 shooting at 5444 West Fond du Lac Avenue.
Background
The incident reportedly began in the kitchen of the banquet hall when a groomsman was observed eating meatballs with his hands. A female victim—identified as the bride's cousin—instructed him to use a plate instead, authorities said. The groomsman then allegedly punched her, sparking a physical altercation that would soon turn deadly.
Witnesses told police the confrontation quickly escalated when gunshots rang out. Thomas Redrick Williams—a friend of the groomsman—has been identified by three separate witnesses as the shooter, according to the affidavit.
The male victim suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, while the female victim sustained injuries to her arm and leg. Both were transported for medical treatment.
The Investigation
After the shooting, Williams allegedly fled toward his SUV in an attempt to escape. However, the bride intervened, police said—she spotted him attempting to leave and physically wrestled away his key fob to prevent him from driving off. Williams then abandoned the vehicle and ran on foot, authorities allege.
The SUV belonged to Williams' wife. When law enforcement located the vehicle, they discovered a 9 mm handgun on the front passenger floor along with an envelope bearing the defendant's name, according to the complaint.
Three witnesses, including the bride herself, identified Williams in a photo lineup as the alleged shooter. The bride recounted seeing Williams walk out of the kitchen armed with a gun, prompting her to follow him outside before he could flee, the affidavit stated.
Despite being charged through the criminal complaint, authorities had not yet taken Williams into custody as of Sunday, according to reports.
Key Takeaways
- Two people were shot and injured at an Aria banquet hall in Milwaukee during a wedding reception on June 20
- The shooting allegedly erupted after a groomsman punched a cousin of the bride for criticizing his table manners while eating meatballs with his hands
- Thomas Redrick Williams, 41, has been charged with two counts of first-degree reckless injury and other offenses
- Three witnesses identified Williams in a photo lineup; he had not been arrested as of Sunday
What's Next
Williams remains at large pending arrest. Court dates for the formal charging have not yet been scheduled. The investigation is ongoing, with Milwaukee authorities continuing to process evidence including the firearm recovered from the suspect's vehicle.