MILWAUKEE — A man is the victim of an apparent homicide in the 600 block of North 19th Street near Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Marquette University Police Department said in a news release Friday. The Marquette University School of Dentistry and Mashuda Residence Hall are both across the street from the church.
The victim has not yet been identified; however, the preliminary investigation reveals that the body appears to be that of a 45-year-old male who sustained a significant head injury. This is an active investigation and MPD continues to seek a suspect.
— Milwaukee Police (@MilwaukeePolice) March 29, 2019
The victim, a 45-year-old man with severe head trauma, was found on the side steps of Redeemer Lutheran around 9:30 a.m. Friday.
“You could see blood on the steps,” said Brian Basile, who called to report it as he was driving by. “It’s just crazy. Our community and city is getting desensitized to this horrible stuff going on. It’s sad. Is a church not even sacred anymore?”
Anthony Tzamaloukas says the victim stayed at homeless shelters nearby, and was known in the neighborhood
“People do what they can to make money sometimes, and sometimes they pay the price,” Tzamaloukas said. “He may have gotten mixed in the wrong stuff just to make a little extra money and survive. But he didn’t deserve this. It’s just shocking. He was a nice, funny guy. I think he probably seemed like an easy target.”
Tzamaloukas also warns that anyone who spends time in the general area of 19th and Wisconsin, needs to know what a danger this area can be.
“I don’t know if all these Marquette students really know how bad it is,” he said. “I turn my back all the time to see who’s walking behind me, because I know what's going on out here. I know the drugs and crime. Even during the day, it doesn’t matter, these students need to be careful. Things are happening in broad daylight. I think people should always be walking with someone.”
Marquette students received an alert from the University about the crime.
SAFETY ALERT MUPD is assisting with a death investigation of a non-MU subject at 19th and Wisconsin. More info to follow.
— Marquette Police (@MarquettePD) March 29, 2019
“I would like to think we take precautions, but it’s tough for me to make that judgement,” said Matthew Bachman, a junior at Marquette. “I think with coming here, it’s something that you know what you’re coming into, and that you have to be smart and aware. But it is crazy how close some of this is happening to our dorms and classes. We go to school in a very urban setting, and it’s sad that so much bad stuff does occur.”
Neither this homicide, nor the victim, are directly tied to Marquette University or Redeemer Lutheran Church.
No one is in police custody. Investigators are looking for a suspect.
The area is an active crime scene, and members of the Marquette community are urged to stay clear of the scene.
An autopsy is scheduled Monday.
