MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee man has been charged after allegedly killing his wife in front of their children earlier this week.

Dexter Gardner is charged with intentional homicide, recklessly endangering safety, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and bail jumping.

A criminal complaint said a friend drove the victim, 30-year-old Kortni Thornton, to her mother-in-law's home near 74th and Glenbrook around 9 p.m. Monday to pick up her children.



Milwaukee police said Thornton's husband started shooting when she tried getting in the car and refused to talk.

Gardner shot his wife 18 times as their children stood nearby. Police said he also shot his wife's friend multiple times in her legs, but she survived.

At the time of the shooting, Gardner was out of jail on bond and was to have no contact with Thornton.

The alleged killer has a record. In September, Gardner was charged with battery while using a dangerous weapon. The victim was his wife.



He was also convicted of arson in 2005.