MILWAUKEE — Photos of Sharon Johnson now sit outside the boarded-up Riverwest home where her family says she spent some of her final moments.
Johnson, 57, was shot and killed near North Holton Street and East Locust Street around 3 a.m. Monday, according to Milwaukee police.
Her sister, Tracy Johnson, remembers her as "full of life" — a mother of four, grandmother of seven and someone who loved working as a school lunch lady.
"She loved to run, very known, lots of friends," Tracy Johnson said. "God, she has lots of friends."
When TMJ4 crews arrived at the home Monday morning, Tracy Johnson stood outside grieving her sister.
She told TMJ4 she believes the property has been a problem for years.
That prompted TMJ4’s Alonna Johnson to take a closer look at the property's history.
Records obtained by TMJ4 show officers were dispatched to the upper and lower units at the address nearly 200 times between 2020 and July 2026, including calls involving batteries, family trouble, welfare checks and weapons.
When TMJ4 returned Friday, an orange City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services notice had been posted on the front door ordering the building vacated. The notice states the building is "illegally occupied or unfit for human habitation" and must remain vacant until it complies with the city's building and zoning code.
TMJ4 also found the property's owner is facing an active mortgage foreclosure lawsuit filed in June.
City records show Milwaukee's Department of Neighborhood Services opened an inspection case after a Milwaukee police referral in June.
According to records obtained by TMJ4, an inspector was initially unable to gain entry to fully assess the property, and the home was placed on monthly inspections.
When TMJ4 returned Thursday, the city had posted the vacate notice on the front door.
TMJ4 reached out to the property's owner for comment but had not heard back.
Neighbor Aydaris Ortiz said she's seen police at the home before.
"Probably the only house on the block that has the most problems," Ortiz said. "The shooting was the most intense thing that happened over here."
For Tracy Johnson, she wishes action would’ve been taken sooner.
"If that house would've been torn down, she may still be here today," she said.
Despite her grief, Tracy Johnson also had a message for the person who killed her sister.
"I can't hate you. But I'm gonna pray for you. I promise I'm gonna pray for you," she said. "Do the right thing and turn yourself in."
Milwaukee police have not announced any arrests and continue searching for the person responsible for Johnson's death.
Sharon Johnson's family has started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses.
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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