With drugs on site, Racine Police officers arrested a married couple after a domestic dispute at 6:18 p.m. Monday ended in an attempted murder.
Brandon Brantley, 33, and Latoya M. Lewis, 32, both had drugs in their home on the 1500 block of Taylor Avenue. So, when police arrived to investigate Lewis shooting a pistol at him, they both ended up in handcuffs, according to a criminal complaint by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office.
The argument had raged all day over Brantly’s infidelity. Lewis’ brother, who lives nearby, went to the house several times to mediate the dispute. He was kicked out the last time by an intoxicated Lewis, the complaint reads.
The violence began when Lewis started to attack Brantley leaving him with scratches and cuts on his face and hands, he told police. The tussle left them both on the floor, at which time Lewis grabbed a .45 caliber pistol that Brantley keeps under the bed for protection.
Lewis admitted to firing the pistol in an interview with police and Brantley concurred. But neither were clear on whether she fired it at him.
There were two bullet holes, one in the hallway the other in the wall. Both were consistent with Lewis shooting at Brantley from within the bedroom where the fight was taking place. Three of the couple’s four children were in the adjacent bedroom when the shots were fired.
Brantley told police he didn’t think Lewis would try to kill him, but added, “But the way she was today…. She was crazy, you never know.”
While police were investigating, they located over 6 grams of marijuana belonging to Lewis and empty baggies with cocaine residue belonging to him.
Lewis is facing one count of attempted first degree intentional homicide, three counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety, one count of battery and one count of possession of marijuana. Brantley is charged with possession of cocaine and misdemeanor bail jumping.