Police: 6 teens involved in Milwaukee shooting

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Police Department said officers responded to a shooting on Monday at 4:21 p.m. in the 2900 block of North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 

The shooting, police said, stemmed from a fight among multiple young females. Police said they identified at least one alleged shooter, a 17-year-old male, but they are looking for information on possible additional unknown suspects. He is in police custody. 

Six people, including the 17-year-old alleged shooter, all have non-life-threatening injuries. Victims are between the ages of 14 and 19 years old. Four victims were female, and two were male, according to authorities. Police said the injuries varied among the victims. 

The shooting took place after downtown Juneteenth events had concluded. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said there has never been a shooting in Milwaukee at previous Juneteenth events. 

Even though the shooting happened after the celebration concluded, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson noted that with thousands of people in attendance, this could have been tragic. 

“Today, there were families out here. There were kids out here. There were babies out here. It does not sit well with me… for folks to think that it is OK to take a gun out in a densely populated area and fire shots off,” Johnson said.

He did note that “Juneteenth was a safe event.” 

Johnson and Norman stressed the concern in the city that more young people are involved in violence. 

“We have a variety of ages who should not have been harmed, [and] should not have been involved in this kind of behavior,” Norman said. 

“There’s no reason that a young person should have their hand on a gun of any kind… It is completely and totally unacceptable,” Johnson added. 

During a Monday evening press conference, officials called on parents to take responsibility for their children and gun safety. 

“Milwaukee, what’s going on with our children? Parents, guardians, elders, we need to engage and ensure that this violence children are bringing to our streets cease,” Norman said. 

Johnson said if someone has access to a gun and is planning to go to an event and shoot someone, they should not go to the event. He said the city has resources available to help those in distress, but “you don’t have the right to steal the joy that this community felt today.” 

He also said no argument is worth ending with gun violence. 

“This is a story that plays out too often and it’s getting really old, really old,” Norman said. 

Free mental health resources in Milwaukee are available here.

This story is developing. Check back later for updates.