Trial approaches for boy accused in shooting death of Tariq Akbar after US Bank Fireworks Show

MILWAUKEE -- It has been one year since 14-year-old Tariq Akbar was shot and killed in Milwaukee. It happened on July 3rd, 2015 following the US Bank Fireworks Show.

"I miss everything about my son. Everything. That was a part of me," Akbar's father, Katraile Scott said just days after this shooting.

16-year-old Matthew McMillan, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, has been charged with first degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, as party to a crime for Akbar's death, and his jury trial is set to begin later this month -- on July 25th.

Akbar was fatally shot near the intersection of N. Lake Dr. and Kenilworth -- just moments after the fireworks show wrapped up last year.

Police say the shooting incident was the result of a fight over a girl on Facebook.

According to the criminal complaint filed against McMillan, one witness told police he was with Akbar when "a group of about 12 males approached them and stated, 'What's up?'"

The witness said "after the confrontation, he observed the subject, who he identified...as Matthew McMillan, holding a firearm." He told investigators, "This is the person that I saw shoot Tariq. I'm 100% positive."

Another witness told police in the complaint that while he was with Akbar, "a fight ensued with a group that called themselves the 'Bang Brothers.'"

Police came by and broke up the fight.

A short time later, the witness saw the "Bang Brothers" at the top of a nearby hill. The witness "observed (McMillan) armed with a firearm." He told investigators he saw "(McMillan) raise that firearm, and fire several times." The witness told police one of the bullets hit Akbar.

Immediately following the shooting, five officers in relay teams worked to save Akbar. The officers were able to get a pulse back, but Akbar died at Children’s Hospital.

An autopsy determined Akbar died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.

Akbar's father said his son wanted to be a ball player, but he told his son to focus on school in the hopes that he'd have a better life.

"Just go to college and make something out of yourself so you don`t have to be on these Milwaukee streets and I told him 'I go through this so you don`t have to go through it,' and man, my son lost his life to it," Scott said.

McMillan is charged as an adult in this case. During a hearing in December, it was determined by the court that this case would remain in adult court.