MADISON (WKOW) -- Town of Madison police said they believe Monday night's homicide was a targeted shooting and the killer is still on the loose.
The news came in an update posted to the department's Facebook page Tuesday evening.
"The victim was brutally shot by a suspect still at large," authorities said. "We believe this is a targeted shooting; however we should be concerned and vigilant knowing there is a homicidal suspect at large in our community."
Officers said they "have several theories" about what lead to the shooting death of 48-year-old Antonio Shaw, from Madison. The Dane County Medical Examiner'ssaid the man died of "homicidal firearm violence."
The shooting took place outside a group home at 2606 Badger Lane. Co-workers say Shaw was arriving for his third shift position when he was fatally shot.
"He was a good hearted person," colleague Florenzo Cribbs says of Shaw.
Co-worker Maurice Howard says Shaw's work assignment often involved the care of a deaf and emotionally challenged teenage resident.
"He put himself into his work," Howard says.
Neighbor Cheryl Cummings says she's saddened a group home staff member was killed, and says the workers she's encountered have been nice. But Cummings also says a group home resident threatened her and her sister as they walked in the neighborhood last year.
Neighbor Rae Carman says the group home property is often littered with garbarge. She says even before the shooting feet from the property, she was concerned about its operation. "It just doesn't seem like the caretakers are taking care of the property and I don't know how they're taking care of the people inside," Carman says.
Carman says she called 911 last year after a group home resident hurled a large object through the glass of his bedroom window, with the object slamming against her home.
The group home's operator is Monona-based Integrity Residential Services. Integrity's Chief Executive Officer Steve Lawrence has yet to respond to a request for comment from 27 News.
The director of Dane County's Health and Human Services Department says the group home's operation has been sound.
"DCDHS can confirm that the residence identified in the Town of Madison homicide was under contract through a third party. We are unable to share any other information about the home and who lived there pursuant to our need to protect client confidentiality. We can say that the home was under no corrective orders from DCDHS and was in good standing with the department at the time of the incident," Shawn Tessman provides in a statement to 27 News. "DCDHS will report the death to the state Department of Health Services for a follow up investigation should it be determined necessary. Our condolences to the affected friends and family. "
Co-workers say Shaw had been working at the group home for approximately eight months.
Police have made no comment as to whether Shaw's death as he reported for work at the group home had any connection to the facility.
More at WKOW 27 News