Prosecutors say Adam Threlkeld killed Antero Medina after a brief confrontation, then fired 15 rounds during an encounter with responding officers.

KENOSHA, Wis. — A Milwaukee man accused of fatally shooting a 33-year-old patron inside a Kenosha bar and then opening fire on responding police faces seven felony charges, while a $5 million cash bail remains in place as the criminal case moves through court.

Adam Scott Threlkeld, 45, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the Sept. 20 death of Antero “Casper” Medina III, along with two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, possession of a firearm by a felon and felony bail jumping. The charges turn a confrontation that investigators say began inside Shenanigans Bar & Grill into a case involving both a homicide and an alleged attack on police officers arriving minutes later.

The criminal complaint describes a rapid sequence inside the bar before Medina was shot. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed Medina seated at the bar while Threlkeld stood nearby. Their conversation became more heated, according to prosecutors, and witnesses described Threlkeld as becoming louder and more aggressive. Investigators said Medina appeared to pull away from the confrontation rather than continue it. At about 8:22 p.m., Medina stepped away and called his girlfriend, asking her to hurry and pick him up.

Medina later returned to the area of the bar where the confrontation had been unfolding. The complaint says Threlkeld continued approaching him as another person tried to separate the men. At about 8:24 p.m., investigators said surveillance video showed Threlkeld draw a handgun from his waistband or pocket area and hold it behind his leg. About 14 seconds later, according to the complaint, he raised the weapon and fired once at Medina. Medina moved several steps before collapsing near a pool table.

Police were dispatched to Shenanigans, at 2427 52nd St., and arrived within minutes. Medina was found critically wounded inside. Authorities said lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and he died at the scene. Family members later described Medina as a father of three who was known by the nickname “Casper.” His sisters told local reporters that he was upbeat, close to his children and known for bringing people together.

The circumstances that led to the argument have remained less clear than the sequence captured by the bar’s cameras. One report on the complaint said Threlkeld had tried to sell Medina marijuana, while investigators and Police Chief Patrick Patton said authorities had not established a clear motive for the killing. Police said the two men were not believed to have known each other before that night. Patton later characterized the encounter as a relatively minor confrontation that escalated with extraordinary speed.

By the time officers reached the area, investigators say Threlkeld had left the bar on foot. Police encountered him near 24th Avenue and 53rd Street, less than a block away. According to the complaint, marked squad cars approached with emergency lights activated before gunfire began. Prosecutors say Threlkeld fired toward the officers, striking a squad car several times. Bullets damaged parts of the vehicle including its hood, windows and tires, according to court filings.

The officers returned fire. Threlkeld was struck, taken into custody and transported for medical treatment. No police officer suffered significant physical injuries. Investigators recovered a handgun from Threlkeld, according to the complaint, and said its magazine was empty. Authorities reported finding one spent round associated with the shooting inside the bar and 15 rounds at the location of the encounter with police. Police Chief Patton described the gunfire directed toward officers as an ambush.

Statements attributed to Threlkeld after his arrest became a major part of the prosecution’s account. The complaint says he acknowledged shooting Medina and firing at police. In one statement quoted by prosecutors, Threlkeld said of Medina, “I hope he dies. I had to teach him a lesson.” Investigators also said he made remarks suggesting that he expected to die during the exchange with officers. Those statements are allegations contained in the complaint and have not been tested at trial.

Prosecutors have not said the statements supply a complete explanation for what caused the confrontation. The complaint describes conduct and remarks that investigators say show hostility toward Medina, but police continued to say after the charges were filed that a definitive motive had not been established. That distinction is important because the criminal complaint lays out the prosecution’s evidence supporting probable cause; it is not a finding that the allegations have been proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

The seven charges also reflect conduct alleged to have occurred at two separate locations within minutes. The first-degree intentional homicide count concerns Medina’s death inside Shenanigans. The two attempted homicide counts relate to the officers prosecutors say Threlkeld fired upon after leaving the tavern. The reckless-endangerment counts, felon-in-possession charge and bail-jumping allegation add separate legal issues that prosecutors say arose from his actions and his status before the Kenosha shooting.

Authorities said Threlkeld had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. He also had an open Milwaukee County case when the Kenosha shooting occurred. Local court reporting said he had been released on a signature bond in that matter, which included allegations involving battery or a threat against a judge, prosecutor or law enforcement officer and criminal damage to property. The Kenosha felony bail-jumping charge is tied to prosecutors’ assertion that he violated conditions already imposed in that case.

Two investigative tracks followed the Sept. 20 violence. Kenosha police took responsibility for the homicide investigation at the bar, while the Kenosha-Racine Area Investigative Team reviewed the officer-involved shooting. The Racine County Sheriff’s Office served as the lead agency for that portion of the investigation. Separating review of the officers’ use of force from the homicide investigation is part of the process authorities used after Kenosha officers fired their weapons.

The response also generated video evidence from several sources. Investigators cited tavern surveillance footage while reconstructing the interaction between Medina and Threlkeld. Police dash-camera and body-camera footage captured parts of the confrontation involving officers. Officials later released limited video publicly, while the criminal complaint summarized additional footage and physical evidence. The available records describe a span of only several minutes between the fatal shot inside the bar and Threlkeld’s arrest nearby.

Medina’s relatives and friends focused on a different part of the case in the days after his death. They gathered outside Shenanigans and created a memorial for the father of three. Small ghost figures were included in recognition of his “Casper” nickname. Family members described him as humorous, caring and deeply connected to his children, placing the personal loss behind the criminal allegations at the center of their public remembrance.

Threlkeld later appeared in Kenosha County court, where his $5 million cash bail was continued. Local reporting from the Oct. 8 proceeding said he appeared in a wheelchair and did not contest the amount through his attorney. The charges remain accusations, and Threlkeld is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until prosecutors prove the case in court. A review of publicly available reporting did not establish a later final disposition of the Kenosha charges.

Author note: Last updated Nov. 9, 2026.