Nearly nine years after a North Side resident was gunned down in his home, a Milwaukee man is now facing a homicide charge. Court filings identify 40-year-old Rickey Brown Jr. as the suspect in the Feb. 16, 2017 shooting of Rainier Sheridan and show that a warrant has been issued for Brown's arrest. Investigators say a fresh look at cellphone data in 2025, using more advanced tools, uncovered new evidence that prompted prosecutors to file the case, as reported by FOX6 Milwaukee.
Prosecutors file charge after new cellphone review
Brown is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, and Wisconsin Circuit Court records indicate a warrant is outstanding for his arrest, according to FOX6 Milwaukee. The outlet reports that detectives revisited a cellphone seized from Brown and, with upgraded software in 2025, pulled out images and screenshots that prosecutors now describe as key exhibits in the criminal complaint.
Victim, scene and years without an arrest
Court records identify the victim as Rainier Sheridan, who was shot inside his home on Milwaukee's north side on Feb. 16, 2017. He was rushed toward a hospital but died in the ambulance, according to local coverage of the case and the family's long search for answers. Sheridan's mother, Nora, has publicly questioned what the family was told about available surveillance and 911 material after the killing and has pushed for more transparency over the years. TMJ4 previously detailed the family's account and the fact that the case remained unsolved prior to this new charge.
Investigators point to vehicle, tower data and images
According to the criminal complaint as described by FOX6, witnesses and surveillance tied the shooting scene to a tan or beige Chevrolet Tahoe with a loose front license plate. Several witnesses later said photographs of Brown's Tahoe matched what they remembered of the suspect SUV. Prosecutors also say cellphone tower records placed Brown's phone in the area of Capitol Drive and later near 60th and Fond du Lac around the time of the shooting, and that photos on the device appeared to show nearby intersections and a house on the block where Sheridan was found. FOX6 Milwaukee notes that these details are laid out in the charging documents.
Family reaction and the plea for witnesses
Sheridan's relatives have spent years urging anyone who knows what happened to speak up, and his mother has often framed the loss of her son as one part of the broader damage neighborhood violence inflicts, according to prior coverage. In earlier interviews, she said Sheridan managed to call 911 before he died and that the family still wants access to any video or tips that could clarify what unfolded that day. TMJ4 chronicled those appeals as the case remained open for years.
Legal implications of the charge
Under Wisconsin law, first-degree reckless homicide is a Class B felony. A conviction can result in a total sentence of up to 60 years in prison, which state rules divide into a period of confinement in prison and an additional term of extended supervision in the community. For more detail on how the state classifies felonies and sets maximum penalties, see Wisconsin statutes.
What is next for the case
The complaint confirms that a warrant has been issued, but public records do not yet make clear whether Brown is currently in custody. Once active, cases in Milwaukee County proceed through the county's criminal court system, and records related to warrants and hearings are maintained by the clerk of circuit court. Authorities are still asking for help: community members with information about the shooting are encouraged to contact the Milwaukee Police Department or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at the number listed by the Milwaukee Police Department.
