A 15-year-old Milwaukee teenager has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide after prosecutors say he fatally shot a 16-year-old classmate moments after the two got off a Milwaukee County bus.
Robbiel L. Stokes is accused in the Sept. 19 shooting death of Camron Bowen near Layton Boulevard and Greenfield Avenue. An arrest warrant has been issued for Stokes, who remained out of custody in the latest reports.
According to the criminal complaint, the two teenagers had been involved in a fight at Bay View High School three days before the shooting. Investigators later learned they were together again on a Milwaukee County Transit System bus on the afternoon of Sept. 19.
Tension on the bus preceded the shooting
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed Bowen on the bus before Stokes joined him. The teenagers were seated near each other toward the rear of the vehicle and were later seen having what investigators described as a heated conversation.
When the bus stopped near Layton Boulevard and Greenfield Avenue, both teens exited through the rear doors.
Prosecutors allege that the confrontation quickly turned deadly. Investigators said Stokes pulled a handgun from his clothing and began firing at Bowen as he moved away from the bus.
The criminal complaint describes the shooting as happening only seconds after the teenagers left the vehicle. Bowen ran in front of the bus as the gunfire continued before collapsing in the street.
The 16-year-old suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead.
Earlier school fight under investigation
Investigators have also been looking at the teenagers’ earlier confrontation at Bay View High School.
School officials told police that Bowen and Stokes had been involved in a fight on Sept. 16, three days before the fatal shooting. Authorities have described that earlier incident as part of the circumstances being examined, but the criminal case does not establish a final motive for the shooting.
A friend of Bowen also told investigators that he had been speaking with Bowen on a video call shortly before the shooting and heard an argument in the background.
Investigators say evidence pointed to Stokes
The investigation continued through surveillance footage and interviews with people who were near the scene.
According to the complaint, Stokes’ mother told police that her son contacted her shortly after the shooting and asked her to pick him up. She said he was soaking wet from the rain when she found him and later took him to his grandmother’s home.
Investigators subsequently showed her images taken from the bus surveillance footage. She identified the person shown in the images as her son, according to the complaint.
Police also searched her vehicle with her consent. Investigators reported finding a Federal .40-caliber cartridge on the rear floor area of the vehicle. Authorities said the cartridge was the same brand and caliber as casings recovered at the shooting scene.
Family remembers Bowen
Bowen had recently turned 16 and was a student at Bay View High School. In the days after his death, family members and friends gathered near the shooting location for a vigil, leaving flowers, balloons, photographs and candles.
His mother, Jennifer Cassidy, has publicly called for accountability while mourning her son. She said the family is struggling with the loss and wants the teenager accused in the case to turn himself in.
The criminal charge against Stokes is an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
As of the latest reports reviewed, an arrest warrant remained active and Stokes had not been taken into custody. The investigation and court proceedings remain ongoing.
