A large overnight gathering at Racine's Lockwood Park turned deadly early Sunday when a fight broke out and gunfire erupted, leaving a 17-year-old dead and a 16-year-old wounded and in custody. Racine police said officers responded to the park at 4300 Graceland Boulevard around 1:13 a.m. on Oct. 4 after shots were fired during the altercation, according to Civic Media.
Officers found the teen with a gunshot wound to the back, according to TMJ4, which reported he was taken to Ascension All Saints Hospital, where he died. Police identified him as Samarion Campbell of Racine, per Racine County Eye, though TMJ4's report on his family referred to him as Sa’Marion Campbell, known as “Papi,” and a separate report from WISN identified him as Samarian Aranda, also known as Papi — a discrepancy that remains unresolved across local coverage.
In an account reported by Fox6 News Milwaukee, Campbell’s sister, Giselle Aranda, said her brother had fought with someone before the 16-year-old shot him in the back. She also said the suspect had previous issues with her brother; police have not confirmed whether the teens knew each other.
Second Teen Wounded and Taken Into Custody
Police said the 16-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the torso. He was taken to Ascension All Saints and then transferred to Children's Hospital, where he remained hospitalized while in custody, according to the same TMJ4 report. Investigators are still trying to determine how he was shot. Police have not identified him or confirmed whether he and Campbell knew one another beforehand.
Accounts of the charging status differ. Racine County Eye reported that police have referred a charge of first-degree intentional homicide against the 16-year-old to the Racine County District Attorney's Office. But WRJN reported that police had not said whether he would face charges, noting any decision rests with the District Attorney's Office.
Wisconsin’s preliminary-examination process
A Wisconsin Supreme Court decision explains that juveniles charged in adult court with offenses listed in Wis. Stat. § 938.183(1) are entitled to a preliminary examination to determine probable cause for the specific offense. That general legal framework does not establish the status of the 16-year-old’s case.
A Birthday Gathering That Turned Violent
According to Fox6 News Milwaukee, loved ones had gathered at Lockwood Park to celebrate the birthday of a woman named Sandra, who died in February, with people arriving just before 1:30 a.m. before fights broke out at the park. Surveillance video reviewed in that report captured the sound of gunshots followed by cars speeding out of the park.
Dariyah Stidman, described as Campbell's friend, called for an end to community gun violence, per Fox6 News Milwaukee's reporting. Racine police said their investigation remains active and that they want to speak with anyone who witnessed the shooting or captured video, according to TMJ4.
Racine's Toll This Year
Racine County Eye reported that the city has recorded six homicides so far in 2026, including two juvenile victims. The police department is urging anyone with information or video of Sunday's shooting to contact the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 262-636-9330, or through the P3 app, as reported by FOX6 Milwaukee.
