A Milwaukee man is facing serious charges after a Thanksgiving celebration among friends took a deadly turn over a money dispute.
Kwon Burdine, 31, is accused of fatally shooting 25-year-old Nasif Bowie and injuring another man during a “Friendsgiving” gathering on November 21. According to court documents obtained by media, the trouble started when Burdine thought someone had stolen his cash.
Milwaukee police responded to a home on the north side of the city after reports of a shooting. Inside, they found two men on the living room floor, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Tragically, Bowie didn’t survive.
Investigators quickly pieced together what happened. Burdine’s driver’s license was discovered in the bathroom, and his fingerprints were found on a tequila bottle at the scene. Officers also recovered nine shell casings from a 9mm gun scattered around the house.
Days later, on November 26, Burdine was arrested at a home in Green Bay by the Milwaukee Police Department Fugitive Apprehension Unit. When police caught up with him, they found a Glock 9×19 handgun—later confirmed to be the weapon he had at the party and used in the shooting.
Burdine told investigators he brought the gun to the party because he had recently won $10,000 and wanted to protect himself. “This is Milwaukee,” he reportedly said.
According to the criminal complaint, things spiraled out of control during the party when Burdine realized his money was missing. He believed someone had either stolen it or he had misplaced it. Furious, he locked the door and told everyone they couldn’t leave until his money was found.
From there, tensions escalated. Burdine claimed the situation turned physical, and during the scuffle, his gun fell to the floor. He said he and Bowie struggled over the weapon before it went off multiple times, hitting Bowie and another man.
Now, Burdine faces several charges, including first-degree reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon, first-degree reckless injury, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. During a court appearance on Friday in Milwaukee County, his bond was set at $200,000.
Meanwhile, Bowie’s family and friends are left devastated by the loss. Loved ones recently gathered at the site of the shooting to honor him by releasing balloons. His sister, Rickell Lovley, spoke about her heartbreak. “I never imagined something like this would happen to him. He didn’t deserve this. He had so many people who cared about him.”
Bowie’s close friend Zarieanna McCoy also shared her grief. “He had such a bright future. He was on his grind—he went to school, got his degree, and was starting a notary business. He even wanted to go into real estate.”
What was meant to be a fun evening with friends ended in tragedy, leaving a family mourning and a community searching for answers.
