Milwaukee teenage homicide victims were best friends, classmates at St. Anthony

Diego Herrera-Mejia and Isaac Rodriguez first met in middle school. Within three years, the two had become best friends. They were starting summer vacation, set to begin their sophomore year together in the fall at St. Anthony High School on Milwaukee’s south side.

Herrara-Mejia, 16, and Rodriguez, 15, both died Saturday following a shooting around 8 p.m. near on the 800 block of West Manitoba Street, between Eighth and Ninth streets. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene and Herrara-Mejia died later Saturday night at a local hospital, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

A 14-year-old also sustained a non-fatal injury.

“They both were easy going. They both had a lot of friends,” said Rodrigo Herrara-Mejia, 22, Diego’s older brother.

There have been 10 homicides and 28 non-fatal shootings involving those 17 and younger so far this year, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.

Rodrigo stopped by memorials for his brother and Rodriguez on Monday afternoon on his way to help other family members prepare for the funeral service. Prayer candles, balloons, photos, handwritten messages and photos were set up for each teenager.

“My brother was a good, kind soul. That’s the best way to describe him,” he said, adding his brother played on St. Anthony’s basketball team.

He said the families were close, both living in the community where the two were shot. Rodrigo said Rodriguez was often at his family’s house.

“He was always respectful. He was a good kid,” Rodrigo said. “They were both good kids.”

Rodrigo said the two teenagers were walking with a few friends and cousins on West Manitoba Street when “some guys on a scooter” came up to them. The guys on the scooter provoked them, he said. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can contact Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360, to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip through the P3 app.

Jessica Van Egeren is a reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at jvanegeren@gannett.com.