Fifteen people were shot in 48 hours, according to police officials
City leaders, in a show of unity, gathered for a news conference Thursday, June 27, 2024 condemning a violent string of shootings in Milwaukee.
In 48 hours, there were 15 people shot. One adult died, and three of the victims were under the age of 10.
On Thursday morning, a 1-year-old was shot in a drive-by shooting at N. 44th and W. Congress streets. On Wednesday, June 26, a 4-year-old and a 9-year-old were shot in a white Nissan outside a gas station at N. 60th Street and W. Oklahoma Avenue.
“When we engage in these types of behaviors, there are no winners,” Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said.
The city’s top officials — the mayor, the police chief, and the common council president all said Thursday that the community needs to do better.
“I’m asking you to do more,” Norman said.
Norman said social media has made it difficult for his department to follow crime trends, and old-school street wars are not common anymore.
“There is no such thing in this day and age as “blocks” or “turf.” With the challenge of social media, there are more groupings of names that we are dealing with right now,” Norman said. “For us, it is really challenging because it is more fluid, more nimble in regards to some of the behaviors. We are sometimes chasing the next trend or the next fad.”
Mayor Cavalier Johnson asked state leaders to step in Thursday, calling for background checks on gun purchases in Wisconsin.
“These weapons are designed to hurt and kill human beings. They can go out and get those guns by purchasing them from somebody without having a background check on that transaction. That is insane,” Johnson said.
Elected officials encouraged people to reach out to city violence prevention programs. The Office of Community Wellness and Safety can be contacted at 414-286-5468.