Man pleads guilty to killing security guard trying to break up argument at Milwaukee hotel

Yahoo

22-04-2025

A Milwaukee man is now taking responsibility for the shooting four years ago that killed a hotel security guard, sparing him the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Arrick Adams initially was charged with first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the Dec. 6, 2021, killing of Jose Stanton, a 28-year-old security guard at the Days Inn hotel at North Sixth and West Vine streets.
In Wisconsin, first-degree intentional homicide is a Class A felony that carries a mandatory life sentence upon conviction.
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However, Adams, 39, pleaded guilty to amended charges of first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree recklessly endangering safety on April 21, the same day jury selection was slated to get underway in his trial.
A third charge, accusing him of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was dismissed by Assistant District Attorney Daniel T. Flaherty.
That charge will be read into the court record at Adams' sentencing on July 11.
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According to the criminal complaint, Adams and his girlfriend were having an argument at the hotel, when Stanton told them to leave.
Court papers say Adams left the hotel, but returned a short time later with a gun and started shooting.
A medical examiner's report indicated Stanton suffered six gunshot wounds.
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Prosecutors say Adams fled the area after the shooting, but was arrested Dec. 10, 2021, in Georgia after a high-speed chase there with authorities.
Court records show authorities in Wisconsin contacted the sheriff's office in Henry County, Georgia, after tracking the cellphone of Adams' girlfriend. The location reportedly was a residence in Henry County, just south of Atlanta.
Adams surrendered after deputies boxed-in his black Hyundai Sonata on Interstate 75 in Georgia. A 9 mm pistol was recovered from the vehicle, the complaint says.
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This isn't the first homicide reported at that Days Inn hotel.
Jahara Kennedy, 20, was fatally shot on Jan. 4, 2015, during a party at the hotel.
Kennedy was celebrating her sister's birthday when four men tried to rob them.
Kennedy barricaded herself behind a closed door. One of the men shot through the door, and a bullet hit Kennedy in the head.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man admits he killed hotel security guard in 2021