Racine Teen Held on $150,000 Bond in Fatal Shooting of 11-Year-Old Brother

RACINE, Wis (WRJN) – A 16-year-old boy is being held on a $150,000 cash bond after being charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the shooting death of his 11-year-old brother.

Pedro Sauceda is accused of fatally shooting Jesus Valladares on Friday, May 16 at a home near Howard and Prospect streets. Police were called to reports of a juvenile with a gunshot wound. The criminal complaint says Valladares was taken to a hospital by family members, where he was pronounced dead.

According to the complaint, Sauceda’s sister admitted she loaded the gun earlier that day, intending to fire it at a cemetery in memory of a deceased relative. She told investigators she had previously seen Pedro and Jesus play-fighting with the weapon, though it was usually unloaded.

Prosecutors allege Pedro was playing with the loaded gun when Jesus tried to take it away, leading to the fatal shooting. Hospital staff noted burn marks near the entry wound, indicating the gun was fired at close range.

Sauceda is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week.

A GoFundMe has been setup for the family of Valladares.