Milwaukee City Wire

Investigators believe the shooting of a 9-year-old boy on Monday (June 26th) near N. 35th and W. Center Streets in the 15th Aldermanic District was related to possible retaliation for a homicide that took place at the same location on June 19th (Juneteenth). 

Sadly, that homicide was the city’s 33rd of 2023. 

I am extremely frustrated and angered by the gun violence (all of it senseless and fueled by unchecked emotion!), and I am asking for the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible for the boy’s injuries. I urge the community to do the right thing and come forward with any information they may have. Those with information are asked to contact Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or via the P3 Tips App. 

The city needs “all hands on deck” to help reduce the gun violence and to keep guns out of the hands of our teens and young people. On Saturday (June 24th) I saw the aftermath of a 16-year-old who got shot in front of my home while playing with guns (I did not see exactly what happened but would have stepped in had I witnessed the behavior in person). The prevalence of guns is out of control, and I fear we will continue to see more senseless shootings and gun deaths in our city if we don’t take some needed actions. 

In my view, the cycle of anger/emotion-fueled shootings and retaliatory gun violence will continue until we can work with children and young people in programming that steers them away from guns and violent conflict resolution. We also need men and fathers to be better mentors and role models in the lives of our children! 

No one wants to constantly worry about their children being safe just playing outside, and no one wants to live in a violent and unsafe community. 

Any gun violence is unwarranted, but it is especially heinous that the life of a young boy was put in jeopardy because of someone’s senseless actions. As the gun violence in our community continues we must do better. 

PLEASE: If you see a potential gun violence scenario developing you can reach out to the 414LIFE staff that are affiliated with the city’s Office of Violence Prevention. Please make that call to 414-439-5525. 

414LIFE has staff members experienced in violence interruption and de-escalation, and they have already worked to save hundreds of lives in Milwaukee. 

We must also remember to not lose sight of how these incidents can impact others involved. In the wake of this violence, I would encourage those in need of mental or emotional support to reach out for help. 

For those affected, you can receive assistance by calling the city’s Mobile Trauma Response Team (MPD), at 414-257-7621 or by contacting Milwaukee County’s 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line at 414- 257-7222. 

Original source can be found here.