Milwaukee police say suspect has been charged in death of missing 15-year-old boy

A 21-year-old man has been charged in the killing of a missing 15-year-old Milwaukee boy, police announced late Monday.

Malik M. Terrell is facing a charge of first-degree intentional homicide, as a party to a crime, in the death of Dennis L. King, a Milwaukee police spokeswoman said in a news release.

Terrell, whose age was not provided by police, was not listed in online court or jail records as of late Monday.

Dennis, 15, had been missing for a week before his body was discovered Sunday on North 11th Street near West Keefe Avenue, about a block from where he was last seen, police said. 

Police have not said how he was killed or a possible motive. The investigation continues, the news release said.

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The teen was the victim of "a senseless act of violence," his mother, Dombanee Lincoln, wrote in an online fundraising page. She is seeking help paying for his funeral. More than $5,000 has been donated as of Monday.

At least one Milwaukee news station, WISN-TV (Channel 12), has cited family members saying Dennis was beaten to death over an allegation of a video game system theft.

Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters Monday it was a "totally senseless act that resulted in his death."

"It was one where you just have to shake your head and think this should never have happened," Barrett said, declining to provide more specific information.

Milwaukee police had asked Saturday for the public's help in trying to find Dennis, whom they classified as critically missing. The alert was canceled about 5 a.m. Sunday.

At a vigil Sunday evening, Dennis was remembered as a smart, sweet young man, who enjoyed playing basketball and creating art, according to other media reports. He was a student at James Madison High School.

"Our community has lost another son and it's obviously our commitment that no parent should have to bury a child in this community," Reggie Moore, director of the city's Office of Violence Prevention, said in an interview.

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"As we enter the summer, adults in our community should take every opportunity possible to mentor and support young people throughout city," he said. "We can't wait until there's a crisis or a death. We have to be proactive and engaged with young people in our families and in our neighborhoods."

Donations to the funeral fund for Dennis King can be made online at www.gofundme.com/helpdennisking.

Mary Spicuzza of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.