On the night of April 5th, 2021, gunfire exploded across a Milwaukee street after several shooters jumped out firing toward a 20-year-old named Nassar Beaufort. People nearby dropped behind parked cars while the attackers kept squeezing rounds into him long after he collapsed onto the pavement.
By the time police reached the block, more than 20 shell casings covered the street while witnesses stood around shaking trying to understand why the shooting felt so organized. Detectives later learned the killing was allegedly worth $10,000. The money, prosecutors claim, came from stolen COVID unemployment funds drained from government debit cards during the pandemic.
That was the Wild 100s when federal agents finally started closing in, but during their rise, the story looked very different. The city, the crew, and the money flood. Long before federal agents kicked doors open across Milwaukee during 2023, the north side already carried decades of tension built from disappearing jobs, fractured neighborhoods, overcrowded jails, struggling schools, plus generations raised around constant violence.
Back during the mid-80s, older black families throughout Milwaukee still remembered when nearby factories gave people stable paychecks. Although entire sections of the city started collapsing once industrial work slowly disappeared from those communities. Empty storefronts spread across commercial strips surrounding Capital Drive while younger kids grew up around surveillance cameras, police spotlights, gang politics, plus stories about hustlers who earned fast money quicker than regular workers ever could. By the late 2010s, many blocks across Milwaukee’s north side already viewed neighborhood crews almost like small organizations carrying their own identities, reputations, and alliances, enemies, social media pages, plus circles of younger recruits trying hard to gain respect. The Wild 100s grew directly from that environment instead of appearing out of nowhere, which partly explains why
people around Capital Drive already knew their name before the federal indictment ever became public. Some residents called them Shark Gang, while others shortened everything down into SNG, although the image surrounding the crew stayed mostly the same no matter which nickname appeared online.
Pictures started circulating across Instagram showing younger members flashing thick cash stacks beside firearms, designer clothes, jewelry, rental cars, vacations, plus unemployment debit cards spread across tables like trophies after successful ATM runs. The online activity mattered more than older people realized because younger guys across Milwaukee started viewing fraud money almost like a new version of trapping, except phones replaced corners while fake claims replaced hand-to-hand drug deals. Around that same period, different names connected themselves to the Wild 100s in different ways depending on their role within the crew’s growing operations throughout Milwaukee streets. Michael Anderson eventually became one of the first members publicly tied to fraudulent unemployment claims while investigators later connected him to illegal firearm possession involving a
Glock handgun. Chaz White allegedly moved through several layers of activity involving drugs, weapons, plus the larger fraud operation itself, which made him stand out among older members carrying influence around younger crash-outs chasing reputations online. Javonte Cotton reportedly operated near both narcotics activity plus firearm movement, while Morris Ritman later faced accusations tied to weapons possession connected to the wider conspiracy prosecutors spent years building. Ramon Savage, Kiyori Smith, Jaquan Wright, Demetrius Exum, Larry Hamilton, Jaylen Williams, plus several others eventually appeared throughout the federal indictment. Although investigators later argued the organization functioned less like random friends committing crimes together plus more like overlapping circles connected through money, loyalty, social media visibility, firearms, plus neighborhood
identity. By early 2020, COVID lockdowns completely changed daily movement across Milwaukee streets while unemployment offices struggled under massive pressure from desperate people filing benefit claims across America. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program moved money quickly to applicants, although weak verification systems created opportunities that spread through street circles almost immediately after online tutorials started showing people how to exploit the process. Fraud suddenly became one of the hottest hustles moving through Milwaukee’s north side since debit cards loaded with government money arrived through mailboxes without traditional street violence attached to them at first. Federal prosecutors later claimed Ronald Bowman became one of the people teaching others inside the wild 100s how to manipulate unemployment systems using fake applications
filed across multiple states including California. The process reportedly turned simple once people understood the method since fraudulent claims produced preloaded debit cards that crews could drain through repeated ATM withdrawals across Milwaukee neighborhoods. Groups allegedly moved from machine to machine e-cashing out cards loaded with thousands of dollars while younger members suddenly carried more money than many long-time hustlers around Capital Drive ever touched legally. Expensive firearms started appearing more frequently throughout Milwaukee streets. Once fraud proceeds flooded neighborhoods already struggling with violence, while social media posts displayed vacations, jewelry, designer outfits, rental properties, plus stacks of fresh cash moving through hotel rooms. Prosecutors later argued that fraud money from the fraud transformed the Y100s from another neighborhood crew
into something more organized, more mobile, more confident, plus far more dangerous once serious weapons entered the picture. During those same years, Ronald Bowman’s unusual connection between Milwaukee plus Houston started drawing more attention from investigators trying to understand how the operation allegedly expanded beyond Wisconsin.
Bowman reportedly maintained ties within both cities, which later became important once federal agencies examined firearm trafficking patterns stretching from southern states toward Midwestern streets flooded with violence. Younger members largely stayed visible around Milwaukee blocks where neighborhood rivalries remained active daily.
Although prosecutors later argued Bowman operated with greater distance while maintaining influence through phones, online communication, financial movement, plus trusted people around him. That setup allegedly allowed him to avoid constant exposure to street activity while others handled movement directly inside Milwaukee neighborhoods already boiling with tension during the pandemic years.
As fraudulent money continued spreading throughout the crew, the atmosphere around Milwaukee’s north side reportedly changed alongside it since people started noticing more weapons, heavier movement, rising arrogance, plus growing conflicts surrounding younger members carrying fresh cash. Certain dudes suddenly traveled more often.
Others upgraded jewelry, while social media pages increasingly displayed guns alongside luxury purchases that looked unusual during a period when many ordinary families struggled financially throughout the pandemic. Federal investigators later claimed those exact years strengthened the Wild 100s dramatically, while much of Milwaukee dealt with unemployment, lockdown pressure, rising homicide numbers, plus economic uncertainty hitting neighborhoods already damaged long before COVID ever arrived. The $10,000 murder plot. By the spring of 2021, Milwaukee’s north side already felt tense almost every night, while shootings across the city climbed higher during the lockdown years, making neighborhood grudges move faster than many older heads expected. Crews around Capitol Drive stayed heavily active online during that period. Although arguments that once stopped at disrespectful Instagram posts increasingly turned deadly once a
Advertisements
fraudulent money started flooding local streets. Rumors surrounding Nassar Buford connected him loosely to people allegedly tied to rival circles opposing the Wild 100s, which mattered inside Milwaukee gang politics, even if somebody personally stayed away from direct street activity. Federal prosecutors later claimed tensions escalated far beyond ordinary retaliation after Ronald Bowman allegedly used social media to offer money connected to violence targeting relatives of rivals, which shocked even people familiar with gang warfare around the city. Older hustlers around Milwaukee quietly talked about the situation differently once those allegations surfaced. Mainly since targeting mothers or sisters crossed boundaries that many neighborhood figures still respected despite the constant violence surrounding them. Younger members connected to Shark gang allegedly viewed things differently
during the pandemic years after sudden money, firearms, social media attention, plus growing reputations made certain dudes feel untouchable around Capital Drive. Prosecutors later argued that the environment around the Wild 100s changed rapidly once fraudulent unemployment money created opportunities for younger crash outs carrying military-style weapons without older discipline controlling movement around them.
While names like Javonte Cotton, Chaz White, Morris Rittman, Keiori Smith, Quavon McKinney, plus Jaylen Williams later appeared inside the broader federal conspiracy, investigators increasingly focused on Bowman, Ronnie Jackson, plus Lawrence Turner once evidence surrounding Buford’s killing started overlapping with financial records.
According to federal prosecutors, investigators later reconstructed activity tied to the murder plot beginning around March 15, 2021 after communication records allegedly connected several Wild 100s members moving around Milwaukee during the weeks leading up to Buford’s death. Ronnie Jackson allegedly helped coordinate parts of the operation through phone conversations plus planning discussions while Lawrence Turner reportedly became closely tied to arranging shooters connected to the eventual ambush. Detectives later argued the killing showed signs of preparation from the beginning since movement surrounding the suspects allegedly involved repeated communication, organized transportation, plus money promised beforehand instead of spontaneous retaliation after a random confrontation. The payment itself became one of the most disturbing details once prosecutors claimed the
promised $10,000 reward allegedly came directly from fraudulent COVID unemployment claims filed through programs designed to help struggling Americans survive lockdown conditions. Federal investigators later described how debit cards loaded with unemployment money allegedly moved through Milwaukee during that period while certain Wild 100’s members regularly cashed out large amounts to repeated ATM withdrawals.
Surveillance footage, transaction records, phone activity, plus communication logs slowly helped investigators connect financial movement toward individuals already under suspicion after Buford’s killing rocked Milwaukee streets. Michael Anderson became important early during the broader investigation after eventually pleading guilty to mail fraud plus illegal firearm possession involving a Glock handgun while prosecutors viewed his cooperation as one of the first major cracks developing inside the crew. Once federal pressure increased around the conspiracy, several members reportedly realized investigators were no longer examining isolated fraud cases separately from shootings, firearms, plus violent gang activity spreading throughout Milwaukee during the pandemic years. On April 5th, 2021, everything finally exploded after weeks of alleged planning quietly unfolded behind phones, Instagram messages, movement across
Milwaukee blocks, plus conversations investigators would later spend years reconstructing inside federal courtrooms. Nasar Buford reportedly moved through the city that evening without knowing multiple people allegedly connected to the Wild 100’s already targeted him as part of a larger street conflict tied to rival affiliations surrounding Milwaukee’s North Side.
Prosecutors later argued the shooters positioned themselves carefully before the ambush began, while witnesses described hearing such overwhelming gunfire that several nearby residents initially believed automatic weapons were involved during the attack. Once bullets started flying, the entire situation reportedly turned chaotic within seconds after more than 20 rounds tore into Buford, while nearby people scrambled for cover behind vehicles, fences, buildings, plus anything separating them from the shooting.
The amount of violence shocked even experienced Milwaukee detectives. After officers reached the scene, surrounded by shell casings, damaged property, blood, terrified witnesses, plus evidence suggesting the attack carried symbolic weight beyond ordinary retaliation, investigators later stated Buford suffered more than two dozen gunshot wounds during the ambush, which immediately pushed detectives toward the conclusion that the killing likely involved organized gang activity instead of a personal argument spiraling out of control. Witness accounts reportedly described shooters escaping quickly after the attack finished, while confusion surrounding the victim’s exact affiliations only deepened once neighborhood rumors started spreading throughout Capital Drive later that night. Although police initially identified the victim only through the initials NB inside court paperwork, conversations around Milwaukee streets
already connected the murder to tensions involving the Wild 100s before federal authorities publicly announced anything. One detail later changed the emotional weight surrounding the entire story after prosecutors revealed allegations suggesting Buford may not even have been the original intended target connected to the murder plot.
According to statements later presented during detention hearings, Bowman allegedly offered money online tied to violence involving female relatives connected to rival gang members instead of directly targeting another active street figure. Investigators eventually concluded the shooters either failed to locate those intended targets or shifted attention to a Beauford due to his associations around Milwaukee’s north side, turning him into collateral damage inside a larger conflict he allegedly was not central to. Once that information surfaced publicly years later, the opening scene surrounding Beauford’s death suddenly felt different since the victim possibly died from proximity to dangerous people rather than direct personal actions. That theory also exposed how reckless Milwaukee street politics allegedly became during the COVID years once fraudulent money increased access toward guns, vehicles,
travel, plus younger shooters willing to crash out publicly for status. While older neighborhood conflicts usually followed predictable retaliation patterns, federal prosecutors argued the Wild 100s increasingly operated with greater aggression after fraud money allegedly financed movement across several criminal activities simultaneously.
Investigators later linked parts of the broader conspiracy to machine gun allegations, firearms trafficking accusations, narcotics movement, plus interstate communication involving Milwaukee plus Houston connections surrounding Bowman. The growing case slowly transformed from one homicide investigation into something much larger once federal authorities believed multiple Wild 100s members participated in overlapping operations involving stolen pandemic money plus organized violence. Pressure started building heavily throughout the crew once investigators tied together communication records, surveillance footage, financial transactions, unemployment debit cards, plus relationships between several defendants eventually listed inside the 43 count federal indictment. Members who once flooded Instagram with money spreads, jewelry pictures, firearms, vacations, plus luxury purchases reportedly became
quieter once arrests, interviews, cooperation rumors, plus federal subpoenas started appearing around Milwaukee neighborhoods connected to Shot Gang activity. Michael Anderson’s guilty plea sent another signal throughout the crew after prosecutors demonstrated a willingness to combine fraud charges alongside firearm allegations, making several younger members realize the government had allegedly built a much larger conspiracy case than anyone expected initially.
While names like Ramon Savage, Demetrius Exum, Andrew Portis, Chase Nunez, Larry Echols, plus Maurice Pittman remain connected to different layers of the federal investigation, attention increasingly centered around Bowman’s alleged leadership role, plus the murder-for-hire accusations tied directly to Buford’s killing.
By late 2022, federal investigators reportedly viewed the Wild 100s less like scattered neighborhood hustlers, plus more like a coordinated criminal organization operating across Milwaukee during one of the city’s deadliest modern periods. Law enforcement agencies from Wisconsin, plus Texas, eventually started working together once Bowman’s Houston ties became increasingly important to war understanding movements surrounding firearms, communication, plus financial activity tied to the conspiracy.
Although younger members allegedly handled much of the visible street activity around Capital Drive, prosecutors later argued that Bowman operated differently through distance, organization, intermediaries, plus carefully maintained connections, keeping him separated from daily violence physically as investigators prepared the major federal sweep eventually coming during May 2023.
Several Wild 100s members reportedly still believed the government mainly focused on unemployment fraud rather than the murder case quietly forming behind the scenes. The federal raid and the crew collapses. On the morning of May 10th, 2023, federal agents started moving across Milwaukee before most people around Capitol Drive even left their homes for the day.
Tactical teams wearing body armor flooded several Northside locations while neighbors watched unmarked vehicles block intersections connected to addresses investigators allegedly monitored for years. Similar operations unfolded simultaneously around Houston, Texas where authorities moved toward locations tied to Ronald Bowman after federal agencies spent months coordinating arrests across multiple jurisdictions.
Residents later described helicopters overhead, agents carrying rifles through apartment complexes, plus stunned family members standing outside while FBI personnel escorted suspects into custody one after another. The raids immediately signaled that investigators were targeting something larger than isolated fraud cases after federal prosecutors unsealed a massive 43-count indictment naming 30 defendants allegedly connected to the Wild 100s.
Murder-for-hire accusations involving Narsada Buford sat near the center of the case, although prosecutors also tied the organization to unemployment fraud, narcotics activity, firearms trafficking, witness intimidation, plus machine gun possession involving several crew members. Federal authorities claimed the conspiracy stretched from July 2020 through April 2023, which meant investigators believed the Wild 100 spent nearly 3 years operating overlapping criminal schemes throughout Milwaukee while violence across the city steadily climbed. Once details surrounding the indictment became public, many people around Capitol Drive realized the government allegedly tracked not only shootings, but also debit card withdrawals, interstate communication, weapon transfers, plus social media activity tied to the crew’s rise during the pandemic. Machine gun allegations especially caught attention around Milwaukee after
prosecutors accused several defendants of possessing fully automatic firearms while also transferring weapons to a people legally prohibited from carrying guns. Investigators claimed those weapons circulated throughout neighborhoods already overwhelmed by rising homicide numbers, making the Wild 100s appear far more dangerous than ordinary street crews moving small amounts of narcotics or committing scattered robberies.
Chaz White reportedly faced accusations tied to what drug distribution plus firearm possession while Javonte Cotton allegedly operated around both narcotics activity plus weapons movement connected to the broader conspiracy. Morris Rittman later faced allegations involving firearm possession tied to the organization while Keorie Smith allegedly carried several separate weapons related counts involving repeated firearm activity during the conspiracy period.
Federal prosecutors used those overlapping allegations to portray the Wild 100s as an interconnected enterprise rather than random individuals committing unrelated crimes across Milwaukee. Some members allegedly focused heavily on fraudulent unemployment claims while others reportedly handled firearms, narcotics movement, transportation, or communication tied to street operations happening around Capitol Drive.
The age range inside the indictment also stood out once people realized several defendants remained only 22 or 23 years old while facing charges connected to machine guns, violent conspiracy allegations, plus federal fraud operations involving millions of dollars. Names like Demetrius Exum, Jaquan Wright, Jaylen Williams, Chase Nanez, Larry Echoes, Andrew Portis, plus Quevon McKinnie suddenly appeared across local news reports, transforming younger neighborhood figures into defendants facing enormous federal exposure. While Milwaukee raids unfolded publicly, Ronald Bowman sat hundreds of miles away in Houston after prosecutors argued he used distance strategically while maintaining influence over activity happening back home. Federal authorities later described Bowman as the central organizer tied to fraudulent
unemployment methods allegedly spreading through the Wild 100s during the pandemic years while younger members carried out much of the visible movement around Milwaukee streets. Prosecutors also claimed Bowman personally controlled large amounts of stolen COVID relief money, estimating totals connected to him reached roughly $850,000 before broader fraud schemes allegedly taught to other members expanded losses into the millions.
Once agents arrested him in Texas, investigators reportedly viewed the moment as one of the most important breakthroughs inside the entire conspiracy. Bowman’s detention hearing quickly turned serious after prosecutors introduced allegations extending beyond Buford’s murder, including suspicions tied to additional murder-for-hire plots connected to Milwaukee gang conflicts.
Federal attorneys also argued that Bowman posed an extreme danger to all witnesses after investigators uncovered alleged attempts involving intimidation or pressure connected to people cooperating with the case. During hearings, prosecutors repeatedly emphasized how fraudulent pandemic money allegedly financed firearms, vacations, jewelry, narcotics activity, plus deadly violence spreading across Milwaukee during one of the city’s worst homicide periods in decades.
Bowman’s defense pushed back heavily against those accusations, although Judge William Duffin ultimately denied bond after concluding the allegations surrounding the Wild 100s carried too much danger for release while the case moved toward trial. Once Bowman remained jailed awaiting trial, the image surrounding the Wild 100s started collapsing publicly after years of social media flexing, expensive purchases, plus neighborhood reputation building tied to easy fraud money.
Federal investigators now control phones, financial records, communication logs, surveillance evidence, plus cooperating witnesses slowly helping prosecutors build a clearer picture surrounding how the organization allegedly operated during the pandemic years. Around Milwaukee, younger members connected to the crew reportedly realized the government no longer viewed them as local hustlers gaming unemployment systems, but instead as participants inside a violent conspiracy stretching across state lines.
The trials, betrayals, and the final fall. After the May 2023 raids shattered the Wild 100s publicly, federal prosecutors immediately faced the same problem appearing in almost every gang conspiracy case involving murders, guns, plus organized street activity. Building the investigation mattered, although keeping witnesses cooperative mattered even more once defendants started realizing several people inside the organization faced enough prison time to bury them forever.
Prosecutors later accused Ronald Bowman of attempting to influence testimony even after landing inside federal detention. While investigators claimed he still tried to control parts of the case through outside communication plus pressure involving potential witnesses. Those allegations eventually became serious enough that Bowman faced separate accusations tied to attempted witness tampering plus conspiracy to obstruct justice while awaiting trial.
Federal prosecutors argued that Bowman allegedly understood the danger cooperation posed toward the organization after several defendants started considering plea deals once the scale of the indictment became unavoidable. Investigators reportedly believed Bowman tried protecting himself from inside jail while the government quietly strengthened relationships with witnesses capable of connecting the money directly to Nesat Buford’s killing.
Around Milwaukee, rumors started moving through neighborhoods suggesting certain Wild 100s members had already talked with federal authorities. Although nobody publicly knew which names investigators considered most important toward the murder-for-hire case. That atmosphere created paranoia throughout the remaining crew members once people realized the government allegedly tracked phones, debit cards, firearm movement, surveillance footage, plus communication records stretching back years. Michael Anderson became one of the earliest defendants publicly pleading guilty after admitting involvement tied to mail fraud plus illegal possession of a Glock handgun connected to the broader conspiracy. Prosecutors viewed Anderson’s cooperation as proof that federal pressure slowly cracked apart the organization once younger members understood fraud charges alone could
produce decades behind bars before murder allegations even enter conversations. Another major problem developed for Bowman after an unnamed shooter connected to Buford’s killing reportedly accepted responsibility before trial giving prosecutors somebody capable of describing planning discussions surrounding the April 5th, 2021 ambush directly from inside the conspiracy itself.
Ronnie Jackson also resolved his situation before the 2026 trial fully unfolded which further isolated Bowman plus Lawrence Turner while prosecutors continued flipping defendants one by one across the broader case. Meanwhile, several other defendants tied to firearms, narcotics, plus fraud allegations started quietly disappearing from public attention after entering plea agreements or negotiating their own resolutions with federal prosecutors.
Chaz White still faced serious accusations involving drugs plus machine gun activity while Javonte Cotton remained connected to firearm possession plus narcotics allegations tied to the organization’s operations. Morris Ritman, Keori Smith, Quevon McKinney, Jaquan Wright, plus other younger defendants suddenly confronted the reality that what once looked like easy fraud money during lockdowns now connected them to one of Milwaukee’s largest conspiracies in years.
The government steadily used those guilty pleas to strengthen leverage against remaining defendants while constructing a courtroom narrative portraying the Wild 100s as a coordinated criminal enterprise fueled by stolen pandemic relief money. By February 2026, the case finally entered its most important stage once Ronald Bowman plus Lawrence Turner appeared in federal court facing charges tied directly to Nassar Buford’s death.
Both men already admitted participating in the unemployment fraud conspiracy before trial, which meant prosecutors no longer needed to convince jurors that the Wild 100 stole COVID relief money across several states during the pandemic years. Instead, the central battle focused on whether fraud proceeds financed murder, whether Bowman orchestrated the hit from behind the scenes, plus whether Turner participated knowingly in the conspiracy surrounding Buford’s execution.
Federal prosecutors built their case carefully through witness testimony, financial records, communication data, firearm evidence, plus reconstructed movements surrounding the weeks leading toward April 5th, 2021. Jurors reportedly heard evidence describing how fraudulent unemployment claims allegedly funded weapons, vacations, jewelry, rental properties, narcotics movement, plus eventually a murder-for-hire plot targeting somebody connected to rival gang circles around Milwaukee.
Prosecutors also introduced evidence tied to firearms conspiracy allegations involving machine guns, plus illegal weapon transfers connected to several Wild 100s members during the pandemic period. Witnesses reportedly described planning discussions, movement between defendants, communications surrounding payments, plus the atmosphere surrounding the rivalry eventually leading toward Buford’s killing.
Bowman’s alleged attempts toward witness intimidation also entered the trial, strengthening the prosecution’s narrative that he still tried to control outcomes long after federal authorities dismantled much of the organization publicly. On March 4th, 2026, the jury finally delivered guilty verdicts against Ronald Bowman plus Lawrence Turner after years of investigation surrounding the Wild 100’s conspiracy stretching between Milwaukee plus Houston.
Bowman was convicted on murder-for-hire charges, firearms conspiracy allegations, witness tampering accusations, obstruction-related counts, plus crimes tied to financing violence through fraudulent pandemic relief money. Turner was also convicted for his role in Buford’s killing, leaving both men facing mandatory life sentences inside federal prison once sentencing eventually arrives.
Federal officials immediately framed the convictions as the destruction of a violent gang enterprise that allegedly used stolen COVID assistance money to finance executions, machine guns, narcotics activity, plus broader street violence throughout Milwaukee. By the end of the case, the image surrounding the Wild 100’s looked completely different from the flashy Instagram lifestyle younger members once pushed online during the pandemic years.
The money disappeared through legal fees, seizures, arrests, investigations, plus years spent chasing status around Milwaukee streets, already collapsing under violence before COVID ever arrived. Several defendants face decades behind bars while others cooperated simply trying to avoid dying inside federal prison after realizing the government had built overwhelming evidence around the organization.
At the center of everything remained Nassau Buford, a 20-year-old man killed in April 2021 while prosecutors later suggested he might not even have been the original intended target behind the murder plot. That final detail continued haunting the story years after the shooting itself faded from Milwaukee headlines since it exposed how randomly death could move once fraud money, gang rivalries, social media pressure, firearms, plus pandemic chaos collided together inside one environment.
A federal courtroom eventually connected the Wild 100s to stolen unemployment money, machine guns, organized violence, witness intimidation, plus murder-for-hire allegations stretching across several years. Although none of that changed the original outcome from April 5th, 2021. One street ambush carried out during the height of the pandemic kept echoing through Milwaukee long afterward.
While the crew scattered, multiple lives collapsed, plus several young men who once flashed cash online prepared to spend the rest of their lives inside prison walls.
