David Krause had been celebrating 414 Day before severe weather moved through Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Three teenagers have been accused in the fatal shooting of 35-year-old David Krause, who police say accepted a ride during a heavy rainstorm and was killed during an attempted robbery near Walker’s Point on April 14.

The case has moved through juvenile court as Krause’s family presses for answers and prosecutors describe a short ride that turned into a violent ambush. The suspects are minors, so their names have not been released in public reports. Authorities have described the case as a felony murder investigation tied to attempted armed robbery, with court hearings focused on whether the teens should remain in secure custody.

Krause had been out on 414 Day, Milwaukee’s informal April 14 celebration tied to the city’s area code, when storms swept through the city. Family members said he sought shelter as rain fell hard across the area near South 1st Street and East Greenfield Avenue. According to reports describing a juvenile petition, Krause realized he had left his keys in his girlfriend’s car and called her. He told her he was “getting a ride from some kids,” a statement that became one of the final known details before the shooting.

Police and prosecutors said Krause got into a vehicle with teenagers and was driven only a few blocks. Surveillance video described in court records showed him running from the car toward a nearby bar. Two teens chased him, and a struggle followed near an alley. Investigators said one teen fired a gun, striking Krause in the chest. He died near the 1st and Greenfield area, a busy part of the city close to Walker’s Point, Harbor View and the Harbor District. Officials have not said that Krause knew the teens before the ride.

The first public court action focused on a 14-year-old boy accused of being part of the group. A juvenile court commissioner ordered him held in secure detention, saying the allegations were violent and that release could put both the public and the teen at risk. His defense argued that he did not fire the gun and asked for his release to his father with GPS monitoring. Prosecutors said the teen was still tied to the attempted robbery that led to Krause’s death.

As the case widened, police arrested additional teenagers. Local reports identified them as a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, with later court reporting saying another teen boy also faced felony murder and armed robbery counts. Prosecutors said at least one teen had a history of property crimes and vehicle theft allegations, and one suspect also faced a charge connected to operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Because the defendants are juveniles, public records do not show the same level of detail that would appear in adult criminal cases.

The investigation also drew attention after one teen suspect was mistakenly released from the Milwaukee County Center for Youth and later re-arrested. The release upset Krause’s relatives, who had already asked court officials to keep the suspects in custody. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said the teen was returned to custody. The mistake became a separate point of concern in a case already marked by questions about youth crime, court supervision and how many people were involved in the shooting.

Krause’s family has described him as a Lake Geneva native who made Milwaukee his home for about 10 years. Relatives said he loved the city and was celebrating it the night he died. Kevin Krause, speaking for the family at a detention hearing, said, “We are begging the court to keep this assailant in custody, to prevent him from committing other horrific crimes.” His mother, Diane Krause, told local media she was worried for the community and wanted everyone involved to be held accountable.

The area where Krause was killed sits near bars, restaurants, industrial buildings and busy streets that connect Walker’s Point to the Harbor District. On April 14, that stretch was part of a citywide night shaped by both celebration and weather. The detail that Krause was seeking shelter from a storm has become central to how his family has described the case. They have said he was trying to get home safely when he accepted the ride.

Police have said surveillance video helped place Krause and the teens together shortly before the shooting. Investigators have not publicly released the full video, and several details remain unknown, including who had the gun before the chase, whether anything was taken and whether all suspects played the same role. The legal theory described in court reports allows prosecutors to pursue felony murder when a death happens during an underlying felony, even if not every accused person is alleged to have fired the weapon.

The next steps remain in juvenile court, where detention, plea and charging hearings are expected to shape how the case proceeds. Prosecutors may continue to update charges as police complete reports and review video, witness accounts and forensic evidence. Public access will likely remain limited because of the suspects’ ages.

Krause’s family continues to mark the case as both a killing and a loss tied to trust. The latest public updates show the teenagers in custody or facing juvenile proceedings, with Milwaukee authorities still working through the evidence from the April 14 shooting.

Author note: Last updated May 23, 2026.