MILWAUKEE — Four shootings in seven hours is the latest spree of violence to hit Milwaukee. Two of the victims are just 16 years old.
“That bullet has long-term traumatic consequences over something that should’ve been very temporary and petty,” said Derrick Rogers, the 414 Life director.
The most recent shooting happened just after 1 a.m. near 29th and Clarke. The victim is a 44-year-old man who is expected to survive.
Another happened at 11:45 Thursday night near 15th and Burleigh. The victim in this shooting was a 16-year-old female.
At about 10:20 Thursday night, there was a shooting near 39th and Chambers. The victim was a 16-year-old male.
There was another shooting just after 6 p.m. Thursday near 84th and West Mill Road. The victim was a 25-year-old man who was shot in the head. Police said he’s in “grave condition,” and the initial investigation shows this started as a shootout between two groups.
Even after all this, Rogers said he isn't giving up his fight to combat gun violence in Milwaukee.
“That bullet has long-term traumatic consequences over something that should’ve been very temporary and petty.” — Derrick Rogers, the 414 Life director
"I have not and cannot, and (giving up) that’s the attitude that we definitely cannot take,” he said.
This wave of violence comes on the heels of Chief Alfonso Morales' announcement of crime reduction in Milwaukee just days ago. Morales noted a 15% decrease in homicides and a 21% decrease in non-deadly shootings this year.