Crime
Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza Killed in Kenosha Domestic Violence Incident After Restraining Order Denied, Suspect Marckus Plaza at Large
KENOSHA, Wis. — Authorities are conducting an intensive search for a man accused of killing his estranged wife in a domestic violence incident Tuesday morning, days after a court denied her request for a restraining order.
The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza.
According to officials, she was killed at a residence in the 7400 block of 22nd Avenue.
Her estranged husband, 33-year-old Marckus L.A. Plaza, is considered the primary suspect and remains at large.
Officers were dispatched to the home after a caller reported hearing a woman screaming, “get off of me,” while a man was allegedly assaulting her. Dispatch records indicated a prior history of domestic violence involving the couple, who share children.
Upon arrival, officers located the individuals in the basement of the residence. According to radio communications, one officer reported that the suspect was actively “dragging her to the ground.” Emergency medical services were initially requested as officers assessed the situation.
However, moments later, responders were advised to stand down after it became apparent the victim had succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
One officer indicated over the radio that rescue personnel would no longer be needed.
Authorities say Marckus Plaza fled the residence on foot through nearby backyards as officers arrived.
A large-scale search operation was immediately launched, involving the Kenosha Police Department, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, and Pleasant Prairie Police Department.
More than 50 law enforcement units, along with drones and K-9 teams, were deployed in an effort to locate the suspect.
Officers tracked what appeared to be blood evidence across multiple properties, including yards, fences, garages, and driveways within an area spanning 73rd to 75th Streets and 22nd to 30th Avenues.
Police issued a public alert warning residents of a potentially dangerous individual in the area.
The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and 190 pounds, last seen wearing dark sweatpants and a white tank top.
Court records indicate that Makayla Plaza filed for divorce on February 2, 2026, followed by a request for a restraining order the following day.
In her petition, she detailed a pattern of alleged abuse, including claims that her husband took her phone and keys, prevented her from leaving the home, locked her in or out of the residence, monitored her communications, and controlled household finances.
She also alleged prior physical violence and stated that he had made threatening remarks, including telling her she was “stuck in this marriage until God decides it’s over.” In her filing, she expressed fear for her safety and for the well-being of her children, including concerns that he might take them and disappear.
Despite these allegations, the restraining order request was denied on February 9 by a court commissioner, who determined that the legal threshold for issuance had not been met.
Makayla Plaza, whose maiden name was Rutka, previously worked as a correctional officer with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office.
Her death has sent shockwaves through the community and raised renewed concerns about domestic violence protections.
Authorities continue to search for Marckus Plaza and are urging anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
The homicide investigation remains active and ongoing.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.