Midwest
Milwaukee carjacking survivor says ‘God didn’t save my life just to be sitting in this chair’ amid crime spike
A Milwaukee man who survived a gunshot wound to the head is on a mission to help the youth and spurn change in his community amid a rise in carjackings.
Kevin Simmons, a volunteer minister driving for Uber, picked up two people from the city’s northwest side after 2 a.m. last fall when gunshots rang out, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“My face is wet,” he recalled thinking to himself.
The passengers drove off with his Jeep Grand Cherokee, which he had bought from his daughter.
WISCONSIN TEEN SENTENCED AFTER TRIGGERING BONFIRE EXPLOSION THAT INJURED 17
Kevin Simmons says he will not let his injuries from a violent carjacking impact his work to help the people of Milwaukee. ( Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images/Fox6Milwaukee)
Simmons is still recovering from the gunshot wounds to his head, abdomen and arm. His arm strength has weakened significantly; he has lost feeling in part of his jaw and can no longer hear out of one ear. The violent incident also caused Simmons to have difficulty walking around. He cannot drive himself any more and refuses to enter an Uber.
Still, Simmons stressed his survival is nothing short of a “miracle.”
“God didn’t save my life just to be sitting in this chair,” he told The Sentinel. “He saved my life for a reason and I have to honor that reason.”
Before the carjacking, Simmons worked in construction, volunteered as an assistant pastor and worked with families impacted by violent crime. Many in the community refer to Simmons as “Minister Kevin.” He was one of many activists who marched from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., to protest racial inequality and police brutality in 2020.
BODY PARTS FOUND SCATTERED ACROSS MILWAUKEE IN 3 SEPARATE INSTANCES WITHIN A WEEK: REPORT
Milwaukee police car at a crime scene. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
In the aftermath of the shooting, he refuses to let his injuries prevent him from helping the people of his city. He said he will almost certainly referee youth basketball games this summer and speak to youth about the importance of making smart and safe decisions.
“Milwaukee is a tale of two cities,” he said. “You can’t just complain and do nothing.”
A 15-year-old has been charged in the carjacking against Simmons. The teen’s hearing is scheduled for June.
Four hundred fifty people were the victim of carjackings in Milwaukee in 2023, a 16% increase over 2022.
Car jacking, which is when a car is taken by threat or force, is becoming a consistent problem for the police to address. Meanwhile, car thefts have dropped for the third year in a row since their peak in 2021.
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A 75-year-old Wixom man who was allegedly attacked by a DoorDash driver back in December has died from his injuries on May 16, his family says
Lloyd Poole’s stepdaughter, Lindsey Gonzalez, tells CBS Detroit that Poole and his wife had just gotten back from Ireland before this alleged attack, and they had plans to travel to Alaska.
“It stinks that basically my mom and his golden years of traveling and being retired was taken away by this man,” said Gonzalez.
“He had seven different brain surgeries during that time, numerous infections during that time. He ended up with pneumonia a couple times. It was just a downwhirl spiral since everything happened that night,” said Gonzalez.
Police say on Dec. 28, officers were called to the area of Barberry Circle and Windingway Drive for a report of a man lying unconscious in the roadway. Authorities say that 40-year-old Ryan Daniel Turner, a DoorDash driver, went to the police station and admitted to punching Poole after he was confronted for speeding through the neighborhood.
“The medical examiner did rule the cause of death as homicide by blunt force head trauma,” Gonzalez told CBS Detroit.
Records show that Turner was arraigned on one count of aggravated assault. He is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing. However, Poole’s family says they are frustrated that Turner is out on bond.
“I mean, he’s out on bond on house arrest on a tether, so he’s not going anywhere, but he’s still sitting out, and this happened to Lloyd,” said Gonzalez.
CBS News Detroit reached out to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, which says it is aware of Poole’s death. It is unclear if charges will be updated.
WEST ALLIS, Wis.– The Milwaukee Brewers kickoff a statewide mural series by revealing new art in West Allis.
The fresh mural titled “The Launch” is the first of many City Connect themed projects popping up this summer.
Local Milwaukee artist Michael Cerda designed the Wisco wall and helped unveil it on Friday, May 22.
According to the Brewers, The Wisco Pop-Up Series is celebrating the “Wisco Way” through murals and experiences all across Wisconsin.
The series is part of a City Connect initiative to highlight art and culture in different communities.
Future murals are planned for Eau Claire, Janesville and Kenosha.
There will also be a “City Connect refresh” on the Green Bay mural that was installed last summer.
Beyond the art, there will be pop-up experiences at the following cities:
“The Launch” mural is featured on the outside of the Slingshot Bar on W. National Avenue in West Allis.
The artist, Michael Cerda, is the owner of Cerda Design Co.; specializing in sign painting and design for local businesses.
Cerda has previously collaborated with the Milwaukee Brewers for two other murals: The “El Paletero” on the outside of Heavy Hitters and the Barrelman and Milwaukee script mural across from the American Family Field, Brewers Way 1.
Minneapolis, MN
Nonprofit honors George Floyd with yellow roses during Day of Remembrance in Minneapolis
People in Minneapolis took part in the Day of Remembrance to honor George Floyd on Friday, nearly six years after his death.
“As elder Spike Moss said to me, one of our honorees, we were talking and he said, ‘Leslie, you’re not just doing a program, you are doing a mission,’” said Leslie Redmond.
Redmond, the founder of Win Back, says her nonprofit’s mission isn’t just to make sure people remember — it’s to drive accountability, healing and change.
“We are remembering the resilience of our community. We are remembering the ecosystem that has been activated amongst us all,” said Redmond.
Individuals honored Floyd at a memorial brunch and at George Floyd Square, where people honored his memory with yellow roses.
“For us, in community, Day of Remembrance is literally just that. It is something that we see every day when we come to our offices and our businesses on the block, but today holds a special moment because we honestly get to honor the trauma that we’ve held for six years,” said Bridgette Steward.
The trauma was revealed in prayers on Friday.
“I pray for covering. I pray for restoration. I pray for healing. I pray for building. I pray for development. I pray for resources, ” said Redmond.
Prayers and calls to action for the next generation.
“And lay it with intention at George Floyd’s memorial for remembrance, for hope and for new beginnings,” said Danielle Miller.
Beginning with addressing all that has happened since the world witnessed the incident that sparked a worldwide justice movement.
“Here we are, six years later. Comedians are laughing and joking about it, corporations have abandoned the community, there is an attack on DEI and so it feels like the weight is heavier than before, which means we have to double down like never before,” said Redmond.
Win Back has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships in George Floyd’s name.
Friday’s remembrance celebration holds special meaning as the city prepares to reconstruct 38th Street and Chicago Avenue. Organizers say it’s another sign of progress.
Business at George Floyd Square hopes for investment
Violinist Raycurt Johnson plays at George Floyd Square week after week.
Over the years, he’s seen the area change.
Once blocked off and defined by barricades, the intersection now carries a different rhythm. City officials are recommending the Minnesota Agape Movement to help develop the Peoples’ Way site at George Floyd Square. At the same time, businesses are starting to take root.
Larry Robinson opened Big L’s Soul Food and Steakhouse in the area by chance, but now believes it is a community that deserves investment.
“They are tired of this. They want their neighborhood back,” Robinson said in an interview with WCCO. “I would definitely like to see this community have a bigger and better facelift.”
Even with new businesses and new plans, the meaning of the space hasn’t faded. WCCO asked Johnson what type of feeling he wants people visiting on Monday, six years to the day since George Floyd died, to walk away with.
“The Sense of this is what community looks like,” he said.
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