Man Shot Woman's Boyfriend In Groin Over Child Discipline: Cops

RACINE, WI — A Racine man is facing charges after authorities say he shot the boyfriend of the mother of his children in the groin after hearing a rumor that the boyfriend had been "physical" and "heavy handed" with his child, according to a criminal complaint. The boyfriend denies the claim.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Racine County, Morris Martin has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and five counts of bail jumping.

Police said officers were sent to an apartment in the 2700 block of Anthony Lane around 6 p.m. on Jan. 2 for a report that a man had been shot in the groin.

According to the criminal complaint, Martin had a relative tell him that the boyfriend of the mother of his child had been "physical" and "heavy handed" with the child over a disciplinary issue.

Police said Martin drove over to the mother's apartment to confront her and her boyfriend. Police said Martin and several family members pulled up in front of the apartment, and called the mother and her boyfriend to come outside.

According to the criminal complaint, once the mother and her boyfriend came outside, she found the situation unfolding around them "chaotic," as Martin's family confronted the two of them.

According to the criminal complaint, an argument ensued outside and escalated into a small fight. Police said Martin first pulled a gun on the mother.

Police said the mother then yelled at Martin, "stop Mo! Why are you doing this?" According to police, Martin then pointed his gun at her boyfriend and pulled the trigger from three feet away.

Police said the first shot struck the boyfriend in the groin. He also fired three more shots that did not hit anybody, police said.

According to the criminal complaint, "it was then that [the boyfriend] realized his injury was more serious than he had initially thought and he realized he had been shot in the testicle."

Police said the mother and her injured boyfriend ran toward their apartment for safety as Martin's family got back into their car and fled south on Anthony Lane. Martin was later arrested, police said.

If Martin is convicted of the homicide charges against him, he faces up to 80 years behind bars. If convicted of the bail jumping charges, he could face up to 15 years behind bars related to those charges.

Martin is currently being held in the Racine County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond. He is due next in court on March 5 for his preliminary hearing.