On Tuesday, the Madison Police Department announced the arrest of a man who was allegedly involved in the murder of a 15-year-old girl outside of an apartment complex on the east side of Madison.
Madison police have been meticulously analyzing evidence for the past nine months concerning the tragic death of 15-year-old Kyesha Miller.
According to MPD Police Chief Shon Barnes, recovering the vehicle used in the crime was crucial. “We had to recover the vehicle that we knew was used in this particular crime,” he stated. The next step was to process the vehicle for any DNA evidence or hair that could help identify the driver. “We did that. We had to process that vehicle for DNA evidence, hair, whatever it may be that could connect us to who was driving,” Barnes explained.
On Sunday, the MPD arrested a 21-year-old suspect in relation to the fatal shooting that took place on October 10, 2023, outside the Harmony Apartments on the 5900 block of Milwaukee Street. The incident resulted in the death of Miller and left three other teenagers, including Miller’s sister, injured.
In November of 2023, Karnika Miller, the mother of the victim, expressed her grief and frustration over the tragic incident that happened to her daughter. “She was simply stepping out to enjoy herself when she was mercilessly shot,” Miller stated. She further lamented that the perpetrators of this heinous act are still at large and have not been brought to justice.
In November, the MPD confirmed that the stolen SUV, believed to be a silver Lexus, was recovered. Photos from the crime scene show four individuals running towards the vehicle. The license plate of the recovered SUV was also reported stolen by investigators.
The suspect was arrested by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office on charges related to drugs and guns. MPD referred homicide charges on Tuesday after discovering probable cause.
According to Chief Barnes, he is unsure of the individual’s role in the situation. It appears that their responsibility was not to prevent it from happening or to intervene as a mediator. Unfortunately, they were not able to be the voice of reason in a time when it was desperately needed.
In March, a group assembled outside the Dane County Courthouse to demand justice and an arrest in Miller’s death. Police announced in April that they possessed sufficient evidence for arrests, but wanted to ensure that the case was ironclad before proceeding with a trial.
According to the department, there is a possibility of more arrests being made in this case. The surveillance video provided by them shows at least four other individuals who could be involved.
Chief Barnes stated that the job is far from over. Once it is complete, a press conference will be held to inform the public that those accountable for the heinous act, which has deeply traumatized and continues to affect the community and the victim’s family, have been held accountable for their actions.
According to MPD, more details will be shared by the police during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday.