Milwaukee, WI – A 39-year-old man was found guilty of first-degree intentional murder for fatally shooting a cashier after a dispute over a pizza order. Charles J. Leggett shot 26-year-old Jamil I. Owies at Action Food and Liquor on the morning of October 19.
A jury delivered its verdict on Wednesday after approximately 30 minutes of deliberation. Leggett is set to be sentenced by Circuit Judge David L. Borowski on December 17.
Milwaukee Police received a 911 call around 11:50 a.m. reporting a gunshot at the store. When first responders arrived, they discovered Owies with a gunshot wound to the chest, unresponsive, and without a pulse.
Officers attempted life-saving measures, but Owies was pronounced dead at the scene. An employee revealed that Leggett became upset when he saw his pizza being made without gloves.
Witnesses reported Leggett returned to the counter, where he and Owies began arguing. The argument escalated just before the sound of a gunshot was heard, followed by Leggett fleeing the store.
Security footage from inside the store captured the incident, showing Leggett visibly upset during the confrontation. The recording also revealed that he brandished a handgun before shooting Owies.
Leggett was apprehended soon after and allegedly admitted to shooting Owies during questioning. He described the incident as a response to Owies’ loud remarks regarding the pizza preparation.
During his sentencing hearing next month, Leggett will receive a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
