Father and Daughter Will Face Trial for Madison Shooting
The defendants are scheduled to stand trial next spring for a fatal shooting that occurred in Madison last year.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Violence

A court has scheduled trials for a 68-year-old father and his 45-year-old daughter for their roles in a fatal shooting that took place on January 25, 2026. The two defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the incident, which resulted in the death of 34-year-old Luis Sotero Herrera.
Why it matters
The upcoming court proceedings will address the charges stemming from the death of Luis Sotero Herrera. The legal process seeks to resolve the case following the fatal shooting in Madison.
Baez is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, while Melissa Basilio-Ruiz faces six counts of firearm possession as a convicted felon and one count of harboring or aiding a felon.
The players
Baez
He is a 68-year-old defendant charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
Melissa Basilio-Ruiz
She is a 45-year-old defendant facing multiple charges including six counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Luis Sotero Herrera
He was a 34-year-old victim who died from a gunshot wound in early 2026.
The details
The shooting took place in the 400 block of Primrose Lane in Madison, where home surveillance video allegedly captured Baez leaving the scene with a firearm. Both suspects remain under legal indictment following their not guilty pleas.
Timeline
Luis Sotero Herrera was killed in a shooting on January 25, 2026.
The trials for the two defendants are scheduled for April 27 through May 4, 2027.
Legal Context
The pending trials for the Madison shooting follow the standard legal framework established by the Wisconsin felony homicide sentencing guidelines. These cases reflect the procedural path for serious violent crime prosecutions in the state.
The scheduled trials bring a public conclusion to an incident that occurred in the 400 block of Primrose Lane. Residents in the Madison area may see continued coverage of the legal proceedings as the court dates approach.
The takeaway
The upcoming spring 2027 trials highlight the formal resolution process for violent crime charges in Madison. Residents and observers can monitor the court proceedings during the scheduled week in late April.
What happens next
The trials for the two defendants are officially scheduled to occur from April 27, 2027, through May 4, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on safety and local legal developments, visit the Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Channel 3000.










