WAUKESHA, WI – Authorities in Waukesha have charged a 17-year-old with homicide after officials say an argument with his uncle and roommate ended in a fatal assault earlier this year.
According to police, Ronnie Fuentez was initially charged with battery after allegedly beating his uncle in their shared home during a dispute over house rules. Charges were later upgraded to murder after the victim died in late May from complications linked to the attack.
The incident began on the night of February 1 when an argument broke out between Fuentez and his uncle over whether a friend could spend the night, investigators said. The disagreement escalated after the uncle ordered Fuentez to ask the friend to leave, reportedly provoking Fuentez into a fit of rage. Police say Fuentez struck his uncle in the head several times during the confrontation.
The victim tried to shield himself and delivered a retaliatory blow, but Fuentez continued the assault, repeatedly punching his uncle and shouting profanities before fleeing the residence, according to court documents. He reportedly returned to the home the next morning. It is not clear what happened to the friend Fuentez had wanted to stay over.
Despite the severity of the beating, the uncle did not immediately seek medical attention or report the attack. He only began to feel the extent of his injuries two days later when he developed a migraine. After symptoms persisted and he struggled to speak during a phone call with his mother on February 5, she rushed over and took him to Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
Medical staff discovered internal bleeding in his brain, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit. While initially alert and able to speak with authorities about the assault, his condition deteriorated over the following months, ultimately resulting in his death.
Police say Fuentez’s comments following the attack indicated long-standing tensions between the two. According to the victim, Fuentez admitted, “I’ve wanted to hurt you since I moved in,” highlighting possible underlying conflict in the household.
At the time of the assault, Fuentez was already out on bond for an unrelated offense from September of the previous year. That bond violation resulted in an additional charge of misdemeanor bail jumping, police said.
Fuentez is scheduled to appear in Waukesha County Court on Saturday, where he faces one count of first-degree intentional homicide, along with the bail jumping charge. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine if additional charges may apply.
Waukesha authorities have not released the name of the deceased uncle, citing privacy for the family. The community remains shaken as the case highlights concerns over youth violence and domestic disputes escalating to deadly consequences.
No further details about the court proceedings or Fuentez’s legal counsel have been made public.