Teenager killed, another injured in shooting after Juneteenth celebration in Milwaukee

A 17-year-old Milwaukee boy was shot and killed in Washington Park on Wednesday night. Another 17-year-old boy is suspected of killing him.

More than 3,000 people gathered at a Juneteenth celebration in Washington Park for an event called “This 4 the City.” The afternoon and evening of music and influencers was billed as a “day of peace and unity.”

“This event should help stop the violence and call for peace in the community,” event organizer Vaun Mayes said on Thursday.

Instead, officers flocked to the north side of the park to report a large brawl when a detective spotted a shooter.

“He immediately encountered a suspect firing indiscriminately with an automatic or modified fully automatic weapon from the intersection of 42nd and Lloyd toward the playground area of ​​the park. The shooter struck the victim multiple times,” said Chief Deputy Daniel Hughes of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.

A 17-year-old boy died at the scene. A 15-year-old was also injured by the shots.
The detective shot the shooter, who fled but was arrested and unharmed.

“Our youth need us. They need us. They need all of us. They are completely misguided. They don’t really understand what the consequences are,” another event organizer, Armoney Millions, said Thursday morning following the fatal shooting.

Despite the violence, organizers plan to repeat the event next year, but with additional security measures and ideally with more community sponsors.

“It’s just unfortunate for all of us that there are people who don’t care what someone is doing that’s positive and don’t care what you’re trying to do and what your message is,” Mayes said.

The Milwaukee County Coroner’s Office said Thursday that it was still awaiting positive identification of the victim.

The 17-year-old suspect’s name has not been released, but Chief Deputy Hughes said he is free on bail awaiting trial on a weapons charge.

WISN 12 News learned that he was released after posting bail set at $750, despite prosecutors requesting that bail be set at $2,500.

The suspect is now back in custody awaiting arraignment.