CHICAGO, Ill. (WFRV) – Authorities with the Fond du Lac Police Department say the last of two persons of interest in connection to May’s deadly shooting at Maplewood Commons, was taken into custody in Chicago, Illinois.
According to a release, Antonio K. Johnston was taken into custody while at a friend’s house in Chicago on September 8 with assistance from the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Authorities say Johnston is currently in custody with authorities in Chicago and is awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin.
On May 7, the first officers to arrive at the Maplewood Commons found three victims, a 20-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and a 49-year-old man. The 20-year-old victim, later identified as Tatyanna PM Zech died as a result of the shooting.
Shortly after, a request was submitted to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office for nationwide arrest warrants for Johnston and Parise E. Larry Jr.
“It has been four months of agony and pain knowing that he was out there for an additional four months running around completely living his life like there wasn’t a care in the world,” said Zech’s uncle Antonio Godfrey Sr. “Today was another step forward in that grieving process.”
Godfrey said Zech’s father, in particular, was relieved by the news that the second suspect is in custody.
“It was just like a sigh of relief in his voice (when I told him that police had arrested Johnston),” said Godfrey Sr. “Nothing will ever bring back his daughter. But he can now start that process of healing.”
Godfrey Sr. said the family is still trying to process losing a loved one. They said they remember Zech as a person who was full of life, always having fun, and who loved her family.
“We don’t want this tragic end of her life to be our only source of her remembrance,” said Zech.
Larry Jr. turned himself into FDLPD Officers without incident around 2:30 a.m. on May 10.
The arrest of Johnston reflects FDLPD’s commitment to holding individuals who chose to put our community at risk responsible for their criminal actions here. The impact of this tragedy is far-reaching. From the onset, Lead Detective Nick Hahn and our outstanding Detective Bureau worked tirelessly with steady focus and determination alongside the US Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force to locate Johnston and take him into custody.
Chief Aaron Goldstein, Fond du Lac Police Department
Family members said they’re hoping the two teenagers will be held accountable.
“They’re (the suspects’ families) going to have to deal with the fact that their children are going to spend some significant time in jail, but at least they can go visit and hug those two individuals,” said Godfrey Sr.
Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
No further details or information are being released at this time.
