34-year-old Travis Birkley Charged With 6 Felony Counts For Murder-robbery In The Deaths Of 6 Victims In The K2 Synthetic Marijuana Drug Related Killings

Birkley and another suspect who hasn't been detained by police went to a home where synthetic K2 marijuana was being sold for the purpose to rob the drug dealers involved.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 6, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Saturday, Travis Birkley, 34, was charged with 6 felony counts of murder-robbery with party to a crime for the January 2022 homicide of 5 male victims identified as Charles L. Hardy, 42; Caleb A. Jordan, 23; Javoni Liddell, 31; Donald Smith, 43, and Donta H. Williams, 44, and the murdered female victim was identified as Michelle D. Williams, 49. All the deceased victims were African-American.

If convicted on all counts, Birkley is facing up to 330 years in prison. Birkley's bail on Sunday was set at $1,000,000.

According to the 10-page criminal complaint, the multiple victims were allegedly killed execution-style with a gunshot to the head. Michelle Williams was fatally shot at least 6 times and also had 7 lacerations to the head and several abrasions to her right cheek, right earlobe and right lateral neck, according to the autopsy. Smith was fatally shot 4 times and exhibited stab wounds to his hands and left torso. The victims were discovered at the 2500 block of N. 21st Street. 

Birkley and another suspect went to the residence to steal K2 synthetic marijuana drugs and cash from the drug house that Birkley was staying at.

Police found 11, 9mm Cal. spent casings including 6 from one gun and 5 from from a different gun, which indicated that two handguns were used to commit the murders.

Birkley was connected to the crime scene by cellphone GPS tower records. Police also found a selfie photo of Birkley in his cellphone that was taken in the victim's house basement after they were killed. Birkley in the selfie was wearing the glasses that belonged to one of the deceased victims.

In addition, police found evidence that Birkley was staying in the basement where multiple victims were found dead. Some prescription medicine bottles and paper documents in Birkley's name were found including a VISA debit card with Birkley's cousin name on it.

Days before the murders were committed, Donta Williams was seen at the residence on January 19, 2022 counting at least $16,000 in drug sale profits on Facebook live, according to a witness who was present.

Police believe that all the 6 victims were killed in the morning on January 20.