One of the suspects charged with killing U.S. Postal Carrier Aundre Cross nearly four years ago now admits to playing a role in his shooting death.
Kevin McCaa, 39, of Milwaukee, entered a guilty plea in federal court July 8 to second-degree murder and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, online court records show.
He initially was charged, along with three other people, with additional felonies in connection with Cross’ killing on Dec. 9, 2022.
Cross, 44, was shot to death at 4:38 p.m. in the 5000 block of North 65th Street, on Milwaukee’s northwest side.
Cross worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 18 years and worked out of post stations at 6501 W. Fond du Lac Ave. and 2656 N. Teutonia Ave.
His death sparked vigils and public outpouring throughout Milwaukee for a man who many described on social media at the time as a devoted father and husband who loved singing gospel music and was always ready with a joke.
Prosecutors alleged McCaa and another man, Charles Ducksworth Jr., 29, killed Cross or aided and abetted in his slaying.
Shanelle McCoy and Lakisha Ducksworth also were charged in the case with providing false statements to law enforcement.
McCaa will be sentenced Oct. 14.
Court records show Charles Ducksworth Jr. agreed last month to also plead guilty to second-degree murder and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. A July 24 hearing has been scheduled for him to formally enter his plea.
Are postal workers an easy target for crime?
Cross’ killing came during a year that saw an alarming spike in violence against mail carriers.
The number of robberies of postal carriers skyrocketed to 496 incidents in 2022, up from roughly 250 the year before, according to data from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
In many cases, criminals increasingly targeted carriers for their master keys.
There were 442 postal workers robbed in fiscal year 2024, according to the Inspection Service’s most update annual report. Three postal workers were killed while on-duty USPS employees and 5,036 assaults and threats were reported that year.
Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man accused of killing Milwaukee postal carrier in 2022 pleads guilty
Reporting by Chris Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Chris Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
