Milwaukee, WI – A landlord who was attempting to evict his tenant is now facing multiple homicide charges after authorities say he fatally shot the tenant and then killed a mother who witnessed the attack. The disturbing series of events, detailed in a criminal complaint, has shaken the surrounding neighborhood and raised questions about potential retaliation and landlord-tenant safety.
According to information outlined in the complaint, 54-year-old Kevin Griffin admitted to officers that he “lost it” before shooting his tenant, Terrance Wilder, during an argument about ongoing disputes at the rental property. Wilder had reportedly been trying to resolve eviction paperwork issues and had filed complaints with the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services months earlier about unresolved hazards in the home.
Tenant Fatally Shot During Ongoing Eviction Dispute
Authorities say the confrontation began on November 4, when Griffin entered the home at 4824 North 42nd Street to speak with Wilder about leaving the back doors open. During the argument, Griffin allegedly accused Wilder of being “in the middle of a drug deal,” which he claimed triggered his violent outburst.
In a recorded interview quoted in the complaint, Griffin reportedly said:
“I mean I should have thought rationally but I just went off in anger, man, and just lost it.”
Wilder was later found lying face up on his bed inside the residence on November 9 after police obtained a search warrant.
Mother and Child Taken Hostage Before Second Killing
After the first shooting, investigators say Griffin noticed A’nya Raymond, a mother who was inside the home with her child. Afraid she would report what she saw, he allegedly ordered both mother and son into his Mercedes.
Despite Raymond pleading that she “had nothing to do with any of this” and promising not to say anything, Griffin told investigators he did not believe her. According to the complaint, Raymond begged him to let her leave quietly, telling him she could “go somewhere and kick it.”
While driving, Raymond reached for a knife and mace in her purse in a desperate attempt to defend herself. Griffin told officers he struck her and then said,
“I was like f— it. I shot her too.”
He then proceeded to shoot her eight times, all while her young child sat in the back seat, witnessing the killing.
Child Found Wandering After Being Left Alone
After killing Raymond, Griffin told police he dumped her body in a nearby alley, then ditched his firearm near train tracks by a school. Authorities say he later returned to his home with the child, placed him inside Raymond’s vehicle, and drove it to another location.
The complaint states he left the boy alone, telling him to wait for his mother. The child was eventually found wandering, shoeless, with blood on his clothing.
Family Members Speak Out Amid Grief
The tragedy has left both families devastated. Wilder’s mother, Demertha Wilder, described the ordeal as “my nightmare” and “my hell” during an interview.
Raymond’s mother, Renay Raymond, wrote on GoFundMe that receiving news of her daughter’s killing was “the worst news any parent could get,” adding, “My daughter was found shot dead and left in an alley.”
City records show Wilder reported multiple unresolved maintenance problems in August, including no hot water for two months, leaking faucets, a clogged drain, and a broken back door. An inspector ordered repairs, but records indicate none of the issues were ever fixed.
When asked whether she believed her son’s earlier complaints may have led to retaliation, Wilder’s mother responded, “Yes, I do.”
Charges and Court Proceedings
Griffin has been charged with:
- First-degree intentional homicide (dangerous weapon)
- First-degree reckless homicide (dangerous weapon)
- Felon in possession of a firearm
He is currently being held on $500,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 26.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
Local residents have expressed shock at the brutality of the incident, noting that evictions and landlord-tenant disputes rarely escalate to such levels of violence. The case has also sparked discussion about housing conditions, tenant protections, and the oversight of property maintenance in Milwaukee.
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