Milwaukee Homicide Suspect Ismael E. Moreno Wanted For The Murder Of Purcell Pearson In 2021 Arrested By U.S. Customs And Border Patrol At The San Ysidro Border Crossing In San Diego

Moreno allegedly shot  Pearson during an attempted robbery of a pair of $500 designer sunglasses, according to the criminal complaint.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 12, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Milwaukee police confirmed that Ismael E. Moreno, 18, who was charged with the homicide of Purcell Pearson, 22, on February 6, 2021 was taken into custody at the San Ysidro U.S. border crossing in San Diego, California by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Moreno was attempting to cross to cross the U.S. border.

The CBP says, at about 4:30 p.m. on May 9, the teenaged fugitive from the shooting arrived on foot at the San Ysidro port of entry, seeking to enter the U.S. from Mexico.  The CBP officer completing his inspection for entry into the U.S. ran a routine inquiry through law enforcement databases and discovered an active felony warrant for his arrest, and that he should be considered to be possibly armed and dangerous.  Following standard safety protocols, CBP officers confirmed that he was not carrying any weapons at the border crossing and took the teenager into custody without incident.

Using his fingerprints, CBP officers confirmed that the teen was Ismael Eli Moreno Jr., a United States Citizen, with an active, no-bail, felony warrant issued for homicide out of Milwaukee. 

Moreno is awaiting extradition to Wisconsin to face one count of 1st-degree reckless homicide – party to a crime. If convicted, he could face up to 60 years in prison. 

According to the criminal complaint, Pearson was apparently shot by Moreno, then 17,  the passenger of a van while Tyrell D. Joseph, then 17, was driving in 2021. Both Moreno and Joseph were in the van as they attempted to flee with Pearson's Cartier designer sunglasses, as Pearson hanged on the side of the van passenger door and Moreno then fired the fatal shot that struck Pearson in the left side of the chest making him fall. Pearson was shot in the chest and back was able to get up and run about 20 yards before he collapsed from the gunshot wounds and died at the scene along the 2200 block of W. Wisconsin Ave. 

Both Joseph and Moreno are related, their mothers are sisters.

Joseph in a plea agreement pleaded guilty to one felony count of 2nd-degree reckless homicide - party to a crime in March 31, 2022 and was sentenced to 9 years in prison and 6 years extended supervision, according to court records.

Criminal complaint (8-page/PDF) at link: https://bit.ly/3sn7BtX