Two Dead in Separate Racine Shootings, Including One Inside Chicken Palace Restaurant
RACINE, WISCONSIN — A violent weekend in Racine left two people dead and two others wounded, including a man who was shot and killed inside the Chicken Palace restaurant Sunday evening, according to the Racine Police Department.
The deadly shooting inside Chicken Palace, located on Washington Avenue, happened around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Employees described ducking for cover as a gunman stormed through the front door and opened fire.
“In seconds — so many shots. Twenty-four shots, I think,” said restaurant owner Marcela Rodriguez, who recalled yelling for her staff to get down. “I told my guys, everybody get to the floor. And I went to the floor too.”
Gunfire Erupts Inside Chicken Palace
When officers arrived, they found an adult male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Ascension All Saints Hospital, where he later died.
Rodriguez said the gunman fired more than 20 rounds, shattering glass and riddling walls with bullet holes. None of her employees were struck — something she called a miracle given the chaos.
“He just opened the front door very quick and shot everywhere,” Rodriguez said, still shaken by the violence. “I’m in shock. Shaking.”
Weekend of Violence Leaves Two Dead, Two Injured
The fatal restaurant shooting was one of several incidents that unfolded across Racine during the weekend.
Early Saturday morning, a 26-year-old man was killed in a separate shooting near 10th Street and Park Avenue, less than half a mile from Chicken Palace.
Around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, two more men — ages 42 and 46 — were shot across the street from the restaurant. Both survived and are expected to recover, police said.
Investigators have not confirmed any connection between the shootings, though all occurred within a few blocks of each other. No arrests have been made as of Monday evening.
Community Shaken as Police Seek Leads
By Monday afternoon, shattered glass and bullet holes remained at Chicken Palace as relatives of the victim came to see the damage.
“I just came inside and saw the glass shattered,” said Von Marshall, who said he was related to the man killed inside the restaurant. “This is probably where it happened — you could see everything broken.”
Police are urging witnesses and residents to come forward with information. Anyone with details can contact the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at (262) 635-7756 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330 or via the P3 Tips app.
Authorities say the string of shootings marks one of Racine’s most violent weekends in recent months, prompting renewed calls for community cooperation and stronger safety measures in the area.
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