RACINE, Wis. — Two people were killed in a shooting inside Rerun’s Lounge in Racine last night, according to the Racine Police Department.
Authorities identified the deceased as Avery T. Stewart, 66, of Racine, and Billy R. Petty, 56, of Racine.
Racine Police officers encountered a chaotic scene around 2:30 a.m. when they arrived at the bar, according to the news release from the Racine Police Department. No suspects have been taken into custody.
TMJ4 obtained security footage from across the street showing police cars and EMS arriving to the bar and officers running inside shortly after 2 a.m.
Durome Verse lives near the area and was horrified to hear news of the tragedy.
"It's just traumatizing," said Verse. "We can’t go anywhere. We can’t go out of the house, we're imprisoned in our home, in our neighborhood. It’s just rough out here.”
TMJ4's Mariam Mackar spoke with a woman at the scene who says she and her sister were inside the bar when the shooting broke out.
She says that the bar owner is one of the victims. The investigation into what happened is still active.
This is the second bar owner on Washington Avenue to be shot and killed in the past six months after Terrance Blair was killed at his bar, Mr. Kools, in May of 2022.
"You just can’t have fun the way you used to, and that’s sad," said Verse. "Quit giving these young people guns. Give them a book."
Any witnesses, or citizens with information, are urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigator Mueller at 262-939-3071 or Investigator Lauer at 262-721-2951. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers by phone at (262) 636-9330, or through the Crime Stoppers app by using the p3 app.
