Ceasefire Sabbath on heels of violent weekend: Mayor Barrett wants folks "outraged & engaged"
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It was another violent weekend in Milwaukee -- particularly on Saturday, May 16th -- the eve of Ceasefire Sabbath. We saw at least nine shooting incidents on Saturday, including one with five victims. That shooting occurred during a vigil to remember a young man who lost his life to gun violence one day prior. Five people were shot in separate incidents late Saturday into Sunday. On Sunday morning, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was in churches in Milwaukee -- spreading his message of non-violence.
The following is a breakdown of the shooting incidents Milwaukee police dealt with on Saturday, May 16th:
Police were dispatched just before 3:00 a.m., and found 24-year-old Corey Bowens of Milwaukee shot in his apartment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No one is in custody. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Police were dispatched around 2:00 p.m. for a 34-year-old man shot and injured. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police believe this shooting to be robbery-related.
No one is in custody.
Police were dispatched shortly before 6:00 p.m. for an 18-year-old man shot and injured. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police believe this shooting occurred as a result of a dispute.
No one is in custody.
Police were called out to the scene around 6:00 p.m. for five shooting victims.
Authorities say a crowd had gathered in memory of 18-year-old Kendrai Walker -- shot and killed Friday night, May 15th near 28th and Burleigh.
Police say the large group of people was in the alley when at least one person fired several shots.
29th and Burleigh shooting with five victims
The victims are as follows:
No one is in custody.
Five shooting incidents occurred Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Details are as follows:
Police were dispatched around 7:30 p.m. for a 34-year-old man who was shot and injured. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police say this shooting allegedly occurred as a result of a robbery, but they say the victim isn't being forthcoming as to what occurred, and delayed reporting the incident for a period of time.
Police were dispatched around 9:00 p.m. Saturday for a 26-year-old man who was shot and injured. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police believe this shooting occurred as a result of a dispute.
No one is in custody.
Police were called out to the scene around 1:30 a.m. for a 19-year-old man who was shot and injured.
The motive for this shooting is unknown.
No one is in custody.
Police were dispatched just after 1:30 a.m. for a 30-year-old man shot and injured.
Police say this shooting occurred as a result of an altercation.
No one is in custody.
Police were also on the scene of a shooting near 25th Street and W. Auer Avenue on Saturday night. Police say one person was shot, but that person was able to drive themselves to the hospital for treatment. No one is in custody.
No further, specific details as to what occurred have been released.
25th and Auer shooting
On Friday, May 15th, an 18-year-old Milwaukee man, identified as Kendrai Walker, was found shot in an alley near 28th and Burleigh shortly after 10:00 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No one is in custody.
On Friday night, around 10:00 p.m., a male victim was shot and injured near 28th and Auer.
No one is in custody.
Earlier Friday, around 11:00 a.m., a 20-year-old Milwaukee man was found shot and injured near 19th and Clarke.
Police say the man was shot after exiting a vehicle. They say he is not cooperating with investigators as to what led up to this shooting.
The man was taken to the hospital for treatment.
No one is in custody.
On Friday morning, just before 1:00 a.m., police say a victim was shot and injured near 26th and State in Milwaukee. No further details have been released as to this incident.
26th and State shooting
Later Friday morning, just after 3:00 a.m., police were called out to 14th and Finn, but later said this incident wasn't a shooting. It is unclear what happened, but responding officers said the male victim wasn't shot, and that victim was reportedly being uncooperative. No arrests were made.
With all of this senseless violence in Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett was out in churches on Sunday for Ceasefire Sabbath -- encouraging folks to do what they can to stop the violence.
Mayor Barrett sat among members of the New Covenant Baptist Church Sunday morning -- with recent violent incidents weighing heavily on his heart.
"I need your help to make this a safer city," Mayor Barrett said.
With at least nine shooting incidents on Saturday (one with five victims, occurring at a vigil held for a young man who lost his life to gun violence), and four incidents on Friday (one a homicide), Barrett's effort to promote peace is more important now than ever.
"Even with the rash of violence, I'm more determined than ever to do what we can to get this community engaged and outraged at the level of violence," Barrett said.
Barrett said Sunday the number of homicides in Milwaukee is up nearly 200% over last year.
"How do we change this? What do we do?" Barrett asked.
As part of Mayor Barrett's annual Ceasefire Sabbath initiative, he reached out to the faith community in hopes they can connect with their loved ones.
"There are people who get in trouble who have mothers and grandmothers, who have cousins or brothers and they can reach them because government can`t reach everyone," Mayor Barrett said.
Jesse Ware, chairman of the Deacon Board says he feels the faith community can influence young people.
"I think it`s sad and I don`t think the police department can do it alone. We got things going on here at the church, talking to our young kids and young adults in the neighborhood, speaking out about crime, getting the young people involved. Once we get in touch with our young adults, we can start making some groups but we have to do it as a unit," Ware said.
Mayor Barrett says the solution to all the violence is a multi-faceted one.
"We have to deal with this problem and we are doing that by having more police officers, more money for summer jobs, more transitional jobs -- but I need the faith community and neighborhood groups to be a part of it," Mayor Barrett said.
Barrett visited at least five churches on Sunday and prayed his message goes well beyond their walls. He says it's imperative the community gets involved if any change is going to occur.
If you have any information as to any of the shooting incidents that occurred this weekend -- you're asked to contact Milwaukee police.