Police investigate four separate homicides in same area of city
Neighbors near Keefe Ave. fed up with recent violence
Neighbors near Keefe Ave. fed up with recent violence
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee police are investigating four separate fatal shootings that occurred between August 31st and September 2nd.
The first shooting incident occurred in the 3400 block of N. 8th Street at 9:12 p.m. on August 31st. 27-year-old Whitney Rhodes was shot inside of an apartment.
Milwaukee police have arrested a 20-year-old Milwaukee man in connection with this homicide.
The second shooting incident occurred in the 2900 block of N. 11th Street at 2:55 a.m. on September 1st. 19-year-old Krystal Witek was shot outside of a residence.
Police say there are no suspects in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
The third homicide occurred in the 2800 block of S. 8th Street. 47-year-old Abilio Smith was found dead from a gunshot wound inside his residence at 1:43 p.m. on September 2nd.
Detectives believe that the victim may have been killed by someone he knew. There are no suspects in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
The fourth homicide happened in the 3500 block of N. 4th Street at 10:14 p.m. on September 2. A 22-year-old Milwaukee man was shot outside of a residence and died at the scene.
A 20-year-old Milwaukee man was also shot during the incident. He was conveyed to a local hospital where he is being treated for what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
There are no suspects in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
Nathaniel Abston heard the shots ring out Monday night.
"I heard the shot. I've never been that close where I'm ducking in my own house -- scared that a bullet hit me, come through the window. It's gotta stop," Nathaniel Abston said.
Tired of feeling trapped by the violence, residents like Tonette Boyce say after a violent summer, it's time to take action.
"It's rough to have to worry about coming out your door. It's not good. We all need to get together as a community and see what we can do and have a real big talk, and see what we can do about all this violence that's going around. There's a lot of little kids around, a lot of teens getting killed for nothing, and it's sad," Boyce said.
Boyce says it's time for a grassroots effort.
"My first step is knocking on doors and seeing who all wants to participate," Boyce said.
J.R. Leonard agrees. He says police and city leaders do what they can, but it's time for residents to get involved.
"The neighborhood actually needs to watch. Instead of just having a sign out there, they actually need to be watching and be proactive in the neighborhood. If you're not taking physical action when you see and hear things go on, then you might as well not even have a watch sign out," Leonard said.
There have been 69 homicides (as defined by UCR standards) in 2013. This compares to 57 at this point in 2012.