Milwaukee, Wis. – A 54-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2024 shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, a mother of eight, in a case that devastated her family and highlighted a history of domestic violence.
Sentencing and Guilty Plea
On Wednesday, Ronald Fuller, 54, received a 20-year prison sentence for the killing of LaKeyshia Timmons. He had pleaded guilty in April 2025 to second-degree reckless homicide.
In court, Fuller told the judge he made “a series of bad decisions,” admitting that while he was paranoid and using drugs, those were “not an excuse” for taking Timmons’ life.
“Had I not picked up the gun, we would not be sitting here,” Fuller said during sentencing.
Family’s Heartbreak
Timmons’ family delivered emotional statements about their loss.
“She should still be here, her absence is loud,” said her daughter Latanilia Timmons. “We have each other and we’re going to get through it. But I feel like it is what it is. I don’t care for him.”
Her mother also spoke in court:
“It will never bring my daughter back. I still wake up through the night waiting on her phone calls, knowing she’s never coming back.”
The Shooting
According to court records, police responded around 7:30 a.m. on April 1, 2024, to the 2700 block of N. 18th Street after a ShotSpotter alert. Officers found Timmons suffering from a gunshot wound to her side, but paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.
Detectives recovered nine shell casings nearby. A witness—Timmons’ own son—said he woke to gunfire, looked outside, and saw his mother on the ground while a man with a distinct limp walked away. He recognized the man as Fuller, whom he had known for years as the father of his younger siblings.
Surveillance Footage and Custody Dispute
Surveillance video captured Fuller lurking outside Timmons’ home before the shooting. As Timmons returned in her van, she confronted him, saying:
“Ron, what the f— you doing Ron? Don’t play with me Ron… Ron no, I am your baby momma dude, what the f— is wrong with you Ron?”
Fuller was then seen leaving the scene with his limp.
Investigators later revealed the couple was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute over their three children. Fuller had discovered Timmons’ new address through one of her older children, despite her attempts to keep it hidden.
Fuller’s Confession
In a police interview, Fuller admitted to the shooting. When asked why, he responded that he didn’t know, claiming that “the devil made him do it.”
He told officers he intended only to wound Timmons but acknowledged firing at her as she stood outside her home.
A Life Cut Short
Timmons, remembered as a loving mother of eight, had reportedly endured a long history of domestic violence at Fuller’s hands. Her daughter later described her mother’s struggles in a GoFundMe fundraiser, writing that despite seeking protection, Fuller tracked her down and killed her after she returned home from dropping her children off at school.
Conclusion
With Fuller sentenced to 20 years in prison, Timmons’ family continues to mourn the loss of a mother and daughter taken by violence. The case underscores the lasting scars of domestic abuse and the importance of protecting survivors.
What are your thoughts on this sentencing? Do you believe justice was served? Share your views in the comments below.
