MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police are searching for a suspect who shot and killed a 16-year-old from a vehicle on the city’s north side Thursday morning.
The shooting happened just after 9:30 a.m. near North 41st and West Clarke streets.
The teen died at the scene. The family of the teen identified him as Armani Thomas-Cotton and shared a photo of him with TMJ4.
Milwaukee police and witnesses say he was shot by someone in a car while he was outside near the intersection. A witness told TMJ4 they rushed out to help him after being alerted by another teenager and found Thomas-Cotton in an alley while he took his last breath.
Another witness told TMJ4 he heard five gunshots just after 9:30 a.m.
Family shared that Thomas-Cotton was well loved and liked to play basketball. Friends and family gathered at the scene Thursday, too shaken up to speak on camera.
The shooting shook the surrounding community, including Ali Gray, a concerned community member and survivor of violence.
"I rushed over here because I am one of him. It don't matter if I knew him or not, I still feel the same way," Gray said.
Gray lost his own son to gun violence and said the community must come together.
"We need community now, 'cause these is all our kids. I lost my son to gun violence. That's why I do what I do," Gray said.
Gray said he witnessed the grief of Thomas-Cotton's family firsthand.
"She gonna be doing that for the rest of her life. She'll never be the same," Gray said.
Thomas-Cotton is the seventh person under the age of 18 killed in Milwaukee this year according to Milwaukee Police data.
An investigation into what led up to the shooting is ongoing, as is the search for the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or through the P3 Tips app.
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