Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Store Owner Over Pizza Preparation Dispute

A Wisconsin man, aged 38, has been apprehended by law enforcement after allegedly shooting and killing a liquor and food store owner due to dissatisfaction with his pizza preparation. Charles J. Leggett was arrested on Monday and faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide using a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon convicted outside of Wisconsin. The victim of the fatal shooting was 26-year-old Jamil I. Owies, as revealed by court documents.

The incident occurred on Oct. 19, when Milwaukee Police Department officers responded to a 911 call around 11:50 a.m. The call originated from Action Food and Liquor, located on N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, where an ambulance was requested after a gunshot was heard and Owies was seen lying on the floor behind the counter.

Upon arrival, first responders found Owies with what seemed to be a single gunshot wound to the chest. Despite attempts at lifesaving measures by the officers until paramedics arrived, Owies was pronounced dead at the scene.

An employee present during the incident informed the police that he was working as a cook and stock person at the store. He was restocking coolers when Owies informed him of a pizza order. The employee stated that Leggett entered the cooking area at the back of the store, but his view of Leggett was obstructed.

The employee recounted that Leggett and Owies began arguing loudly at the counter. Shortly after, a gunshot was heard, followed by the sound of the store door opening and closing. The employee found Owies on the floor, struggling for breath.

Security footage from the store corroborated the employee’s account. The video showed Leggett walking to the back of the store after placing his pizza order, then returning to the front and engaging in an argument with Owies. The video, described as high quality by the police, clearly showed the shooter’s face.

The footage showed the shooter reaching into his right pocket, where the handle of a handgun was visible. He then positioned himself at the counter, reached over with his right hand holding the gun, shot Owies in the chest, and quickly fled the store.

Leggett was later located and arrested by authorities. During an interview after his arrest, Leggett claimed that he had visited the store for pizza but was upset that the worker was preparing his food without gloves. He demanded a remake of his food by someone wearing gloves. According to the police, Leggett admitted to shooting Owies after an argument about the sanitary conditions of the food preparation.

Leggett, who has a previous conviction for dealing heroin, is currently held in Milwaukee County Jail on a $200,000 bond. He is due to appear in court on Thursday.

By David Jones || headlinesmart

October 25, 2024