Wisconsin Dentist Shot Dead by Neighbor During Dispute Over Loud Music

The Wisconsin apartment complex where the shooting took place on April 19, 2025; Akintunde Bowden.

A Wisconsin woman has been charged with second-degree reckless homicide after allegedly fatally shooting her neighbor during a dispute over loud music. Keionna McGowan, 27, faces charges in the death of Dr. Akintunde Bowden, a 41-year-old dentist, following an incident on April 19 at an apartment complex in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.

According to a criminal complaint, police officers responded to reports of shots fired at the complex. Upon arrival, McGowan reportedly yelled for help, indicating that someone was inside her apartment. Officers found Bowden lying face down at the entryway with a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen. Despite life-saving efforts, Bowden was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police found Dr. Akintunde Bowden dead at her apartment’s door.

McGowan told investigators that she had been listening to music in her apartment when she heard what she described as "loud, aggressive banging" on her door. Looking through the peephole, she observed a "large man who appeared to be intoxicated," who asked her to turn down her music. She complied and closed the door. However, according to McGowan’s statement, Bowden returned and began kicking the door, prompting her to grab a firearm and fire a shot when he made another motion toward the door.

McGowan is accused of shooting a well-known dentist on Apr. 19.

Bowden’s fiancée, Theresa Bell, informed police that she and Bowden lived in the apartment directly below McGowan’s. She was attending a concert with her mother at the time of the incident and last spoke with Bowden via FaceTime around 10:30 p.m. Bell stated that while McGowan occasionally played music too loudly, Bowden had never confronted her about it before and was not known to lose his temper. Previous interactions with McGowan had reportedly been civil.

The shooting happened at an apartment complex in a suburb of northern Milwaukee

Milwaukee Health Services, Inc., where Bowden was employed as a dentist, released a public statement mourning his loss. The organization praised Dr. Bowden’s leadership, compassion, and impact on the health and well-being of his patients and the broader community, describing him as a "remarkable servant leader and health care advocate."

McGowan’s bond has been set at $15,000, and she remains in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 5.