Milwaukee, WI
Felonies filed against mother, uncle of Milwaukee 6-year-old killed in accidental shooting
An aerial view of Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee, an urban oasis
An aerial view of Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s only urban state park, complete with harbor and access to state trails.
The mother and uncle of a 6-year-old Milwaukee boy are facing felonies in the accidental shooting death of the child.
Milwaukee prosecutors charged Daquela Collins and Quintell Collins, the child’s mother and uncle, in the April 1 death of Daquell “King” Collins. The mother is facing a child neglect charge, while the uncle was charged with six felonies, including second-degree reckless homicide, and a misdemeanor.
Authorities say Daquela was at work when the King accidentally shot himself and a gun she owned was found near his body. Meanwhile, Quintell filmed himself on social media holding the firearm and another gun earlier in the day of the shooting, according to a criminal complaint outlining charges.
The charges filed on Sunday follow a Friday vigil for King.
At it, family members and attendees celebrated what would have been his 7th birthday. He was described as a loving brother and son, and as a “dancing machine.”
“He just was a good kid,” King’s father Rashadd Vinson-Turney said.
Meanwhile, Aundayous Burks, a former partner of Daquela and who said he was the child’s stepfather, said the boy he coparented made him want to be a better man. He defended the mother at the vigil.
“His mama loved him with all her heart. She was there for him since day one,” Burks said. “His mama would go broke for him.”
It is common for the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office to charge parents and other caretakers in accidental shootings with felony child neglect, a Journal Sentinel investigation found. Conversely, similar incidents are more often charged as misdemeanors in other counties in Wisconsin, the investigation found.
Accidental shootings that kill children are rare, making up only 5% of all gun deaths for those younger than 18 nationally. In Wisconsin, the Journal Sentinel found across eight years there were nearly 200 unintentional shootings involving children statewide. Roughly half occurred in Milwaukee County.
In total, there were 28 unintentional gun deaths of children ages 1 to 17 in Wisconsin between 2004-2022, the most recent year’s data available.
Earlier this year, another child was killed in what prosecutors say was an accidental shooting. Like Daquela, the mother was charged with felony child neglect.
Prosecutors outline mother’s gun purchase, uncle fleeing police
According to the criminal complaint:
King’s grandmother called police just before 9:30 p.m. on April 1 to report that the child had shot himself. Upon police’s arrival, they unsuccessfully attempted to give medical attention to the child and found a gun near his body.
The grandmother later told officers that her son Quintell lived with her and that Daquela and King had lived with them for the last six months.
Daquela was at work when the shooting occurred and rushed home once her mother told her what happened. She told police she purchased the gun found near her son about a month prior and kept it in a cardboard box on the floor of a closet in the home.
Authorities say Quintell fled the house after King was shot. Surveillance footage showed him and another man, unidentified in the compliant, running in an alleyway and the uncle hiding a gun under a garbage can. Later, footage shows them returning to try and find the gun on two occasions, but police had already found it.
Before the shooting, she told police, her brother sent her an Instagram message at about 11:30 a.m. of him holding her gun and another firearm. Daquela told him to “put her shit down”, but he responded with a laughing face emoiji. King could be seen in the background of the video.
She later called her mother and asked her to tell Quintell to stop playing with her gun. The next day, police officers interviewed Daquela again, where she confirmed this information.
“During the interview, Daquela Collins confirmed that it was her responsibility to safeguard her firearm,” the prosecutor writes in the complaint.
Two days after the shooting, police officers located Quintell, and he led them on a car chase that reached over 80 miles per hour. In a later April 4 interview with police, the prosecutor writes Quintell lied to investigators about being at the house when the shooting occurred, hiding a gun, and his knowledge of guns in the house, among other things.
The day before, Quintell’s grandmother told police she had convinced him to come to her home, where he admitted to her he was present at the home when King died, fleeing it and hiding the gun.
Police reviewed text messages between the mother and uncle, showing she purchased guns on behalf of her brother, who is prohibited from owning guns due to previous felonies. The messages are between March 6 and March 30 and, in one, Daquela tells her brother not to leave a gun in the home, because of her son.
The messages are of the two discussing her purchase of a gun and, later, a sale of a weapon.
Daquela is charged with felony child neglect and straw purchasing of a firearm.
Quintell is charged with six felonies: child neglect, two counts of possession of a firearm as a felon, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing police in a vehicle and second-degree reckless homicide. He also faces a misdemeanor for obstruction of an officer.
This is not the first time the man has faced criminal prosecution. Quintell previously pleaded guilty to two 2022 felonies for fleeing police and 2nd-degree recklessly endangering safety.
Daquela is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in her court case on April 15. Quintell is scheduled for his preliminary hearing the same day.
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.I
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee health department monitors 3 people for low-risk Ebola after travel; ‘No public health concern’
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Health Department is monitoring 3 individuals at low risk for Ebola after they were screened following travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda, the two countries where the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency last month.
The individuals are not suspected cases, and the health department says there is currently no public health concern for Milwaukee residents.
Ebola has claimed dozens of lives in the Congo and one in Uganda.
Pastor Tonny Kizza leads a church in Whitefish Bay. He is from Uganda and has lived in the U.S. for 10 years. He has seen over a half dozen outbreaks of the rare but lethal disease.
Brendyn Jones/TMJ4
“And it is sad. It scares people. It worries us. It has taken our people,” Kizza said.
Kizza says the response to the outbreak needs to be collaborative.
Watch: Milwaukee health department monitors 3 people for low-risk Ebola after travel
Milwaukee health department monitors 3 people for low-risk Ebola after travel
“The effort to contain it, it can’t be a one-country effort. Now we’ll need support from all the regions because apart from colonial borders, our people cross over from one country to another,” Kizza said.
Deacon Gary Nosacek and Dr. Cynthia Jones-Nosacek have spent the last decade doing health clinics in rural Uganda. Jones-Nosacek says she worries about health care workers who might be under-resourced.
Brendyn Jones/TMJ4
The two say that while the danger is real, people in the U.S. must remember Ebola is not as highly contagious as diseases like COVID-19.
“So it’s only through body fluids, you know, from the, you know, when they vomit or from the diarrhea, from those, from those kinds of things. So for the general population, it’s not gonna be a problem. For those who are exposed, it could be a problem,” Jones-Nosacek said.
A Milwaukee Health Department spokesperson put the current cases into perspective: during the major outbreak from fall of 2014 to summer of 2016, the city had a total of 39 low-risk contact cases — none of those individuals ended up contracting the disease.
As of now, there are no confirmed cases in the United States.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Every week, Milwaukee With Kids answers a simple question for families across the area: What are we going to do this weekend? From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered. For the full weekend list, make sure to visit the Milwaukee With Kids website.
Featured event
Sunday Family Fun Day
Northwestern Mutual Park
June 7 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The season’s first Sunday Family Fun Day at the play area located in Henry Maier Festival Park will celebrate Summerfest with a day of creativity and hands-on fun. Enjoy performances from the Milwaukee Ballet and Milwaukee Flyers; an Eagles & Friends raptor show by Schlitz Audubon Nature Center; activities with the Betty Brinn Museum Wonder Wagon; and food from Babalou Gourmet, Fazio’s Gourmet Popcorn, Pete’s Pops, and Sils Mini Donuts & Coffee.
To do in Tosa
Art 64
Village of Wauwatosa
June 5-6
The nation’s largest live bracket-style painting tournament is back! In addition to the friendly creative competition, live music, food trucks, vendors and an art market, this annual event features a Family Play Zone with kids’ activities, face painting, bubbles and crafting stations.
Tosa Farmer’s Market Opening Day
Hart Mills Parking Lot | Wauwatosa
June 6 | 8 a.m.-Noon
For over 10 years, this open-air market has supported local farmers, food producers and artisans to help create a more sustainable community. You can start the day with yoga in the park at 8:30 a.m. or drop in anytime before noon to enjoy vendors of all kinds, live music and engaging activities for all ages.
Kids Ultimate Frisbee Clinic
Hart Park | Wauwatosa
June 6 | 2:30-4 p.m.
Learn to play ultimate frisbee from the Milwaukee Monarchs! This free clinic run by professional players is intended for kids in grades 1-6 and will include a brief instructional period to teach throwing and catching, followed by several short games of ultimate. Participants should come with appropriate clothing, a water bottle and a positive attitude. Plus, there will be a bounce house, face painting, food and drinks, and everyone gets a free ticket to watch the Monarchs take on the Austin Torch at 5 p.m. at Hart Park.
More openings
Paddles & Pops Grand Opening
Discovery World
June 6 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Join Forward Outdoor for this celebration at the Discovery World dock featuring $10 boat rentals, free popsicles starting at 1 p.m. (while supplies last) and beginner-friendly fun on the water. You’ll find kayaks, paddleboards, hydro bikes and paddle boats to pilot in the protected waters surrounding Discovery World, Lakeshore State Park and Summerfest.
Farmer’s Market Opening Day
Deer District
June 7 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Visit one of the area’s newest farmer’s markets, as more than 100 vendors set up shop in the Deer District every Sunday. Farmers and other food producers will offer fresh and organic meats, eggs, fruits, cheeses and vegetables, plus you’ll find bakery items, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. Make sure to visit the Taste It Tent for samples of new foods available at the market and a kids’ area with games and activities for families to enjoy.
Connect with community
Milwaukee Public Library Summer Reading Kickoff
Center Street Branch
June 5 | Noon-4 p.m.
Stop by to celebrate the warm months and the annual Summer Reading Program offered by the Milwaukee Public Library. Everyone is welcome at this family-friendly event that invites folks of all ages to sign up while enjoying activities and light refreshments. If you can’t make it to the Center Street Branch, visit the East Branch on Saturday anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
June 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The center has a great day of programming planned to celebrate a half-century in our community. Music will flow throughout the event as you check out a variety of activities, from face painting and other arts to boxing and karate demonstration. There will also be building and mural tours during the afternoon that include a 50th anniversary souvenir giveaway.
West Allis A La Carte
Greenfield Avenue | West Allis
June 7 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
This festival takes over the blocks between 70th and 76th streets for a day filled with activities that bring together every member of the community. Enjoy music ranging from blues to bluegrass and food vendors serving authentic Mexican cuisine, Filipino flavors, barbecue, bakery and more!
Fun in nature
Fairy Fest
Riveredge Nature Center | Saukville
June 6 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
For one day each year, Riveredge becomes extra magical as they celebrate mythology, lore and the flying beings that inhabit the center. Meet Mermaid Echo and celebrate nature with fairy friends, including real-life pollinators like butterflies, dragonflies and bees that help plants thrive. Visitors are also encouraged to wear their best fairy-related costume and bring a little extra magic to the day.
Reptile Day
Wehr Nature Center | Franklin
June 7 | Noon-4 p.m.
Bring the whole family for a wild day of fun as you get up close with amazing snakes, charming turtles, and one-of-a-kind lizards and salamanders. Curious kids and grown-ups alike can go on a guided nature hike to search for turtles, listen for croaking frogs and learn cool ways to care for the scaly (and often misunderstood) creatures that share our world. Then dive into free reptile-themed crafts and grab a bite of tasty food available for purchase, with proceeds supporting Friends of Wehr.
Tears, prayers, songs and memories filled the Lancaster Elementary School parking lot June 2 as family, friends and fellow members of S.I.G. Youth Fraternity, Inc. gathered at a Blackout Community memorial to honor Pepe Sikisi-Belle Jr.
Sikisi-Belle, 22, was killed May 30 during a birthday party for his son at Center Street Park in Milwaukee. During the private memorial, loved ones shared stories of the Milwaukee man, who was known within the fraternity as “House Party.”
‘He was the life of the party’
The memorial was emceed by fellow S.I.G. Youth Fraternity member Juanie Johnson, who said he had known Sikisi-Belle, a father of three, since he was a freshman.
“I actually pledged him into [S.I.G. Youth Fraternity], so I’ve had the opportunity to work with Pepe since he was in ninth grade,” Johnson said. “Like we said, we’re here to celebrate his life. This is what we do when one of our members passes. Just remember that although he’s gone, he will forever live in our hearts.”
Several fraternity brothers remembered Sikisi-Belle as the ‘life of the party’ who regularly checked on friends and family.
Speakers said Sikisi-Belle’s fraternity name, “House Party,” reflected not only his outgoing personality but also the comfort he provided to others. One fraternity member described him as a sincere soul who was always there for those around him, while others recalled his playful side and said he was known for teasing and trolling his friends.
One of Sikisi-Belle’s fraternity line brothers was too emotional to speak during the memorial, so Johnson spoke on his behalf.
“They were like two peas in a pod. They gave me a headache,” Johnson said. “They used to always get in trouble together, but to know Pepe is to love Pepe. He was always the life of the party, the spirit of the party, and he used to call me every morning just to be like, ‘You good, bro?’”
Sikisi-Belle’s parents also attended the memorial and shared remarks about their son.
“I miss my son,” said Marissa Bopilo, Sikisi-Belle’s mother. “I know that he loves y’all very, very much, and he’ll live on with us for the rest of our lives.”
Bopilo said she hopes those responsible for her son’s death are brought to justice.
“He was the life of the party, and he was definitely loved by many,” Bopilo said after the memorial. “I’m hoping things move forward with the situation. I’m hoping that we get justice.”
Members of the organization blew out candles one by one in honor of Sikisi-Belle before closing the memorial with a song.
Sikisi-Belle died from multiple gunshot wounds
At 6:47 p.m. May 30, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Center Street Park, 420 W. Clarke St., for reports of a shooting.
When authorities arrived, they found Sikisi-Belle dead from at least two gunshot wounds to his upper torso, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
A 25-year-old Milwaukee woman was arrested at the scene in connection with the shooting. MCSO said the woman knew Sikisi-Belle and was found with two firearms in her possession.
As of June 3, no criminal charges had been filed in the case.
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
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