Fleeing vehicle that caused crash near 40th and North involved in triple shooting



Crash involving school bus near 40th and North in Milwaukee



MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police on Friday, April 19 revealed a vehicle that fled from police on Thursday, April 18 and was involved in a crash near 40th and North was also involved in a triple shooting near 36th and Courtland before the pursuit.

What started as a police chase ended in a major crash near 40th and North in Milwaukee that sent seven people, including a child in a school bus, to the hospital on Thursday, April 18.

Police say officers were conducting an operation in which they were searching for wanted subjects throughout the city, when these suspects came up on their radar. Officials say the driver of the suspect vehicle caused the three car crash.

Crash involving school bus near 40th and North in Milwaukee



In the damaged school bus, one adult female and a 13-year-old boy were taken to the hospital. One person in the pickup had non-life threatening injuries.

Police say this fleeing vehicle was also involved in the triple shooting of three juveniles that happened near 36th and Courtland Thursday afternoon.

Triple shooting near 36th and Courtland in Milwaukee



Police said the victims, a 13-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening. They were taken to the hospital for treatment. This incident marks the fourth child shot and wounded this week, and tenth so far this year. Police say a 14-year-old boy has been taken into custody in connection to the shootings near 36th and Courtland.

Triple shooting near 36th and Courtland in Milwaukee



The crime is personal for anti-violence community activist Frank Nitty II.

"The violence in our community -- with our youth -- is out of control," said Nitty. "Just stop with the kids. They are too young."

His daughter is the youngest of the victims. She was struck four times, including in the side and foot. Nitty says her half-sister was wounded as well.

"I feel helpless. Honestly, I feel helpless," said Nitty. "They're very strong girls. Their emotions were there for each other."



Nitty held a press conference addressing the violence. He was flanked by support, pushing the youth to stay away from violent behavior. Standing just feet away from shell casings still being collected by police at the scene, Nitty says he holds the parents and other adults interacting with these young criminals responsible.

"How does a 14-year-old get a gun?" he asked.

Crash involving school bus near 40th and North in Milwaukee



Police say shortly after the shooting, officers pursued a car that they believe was also connected. Surveillance cameras at 40th and North show the chase come to an end, as the suspect vehicle crashes into a pick-up truck and school bus, injuring seven.

Crash involving school bus near 40th and North in Milwaukee



Crash involving school bus near 40th and North in Milwaukee



"We are calling for all hands on deck," said Vaun Mayes.

Crash involving school bus near 40th and North in Milwaukee



Representatives from The Office of Violence Prevention and neighborhood outreach group 414 Life are joining Nitty in his plea for change. They fear sticking to the status quo will only result in more bloodshed among the innocent.

"We want everybody to start reaching out and stop being scared to say something," said Chris Conley, 414 Life. "This ain't snitching. Say something. Our children are dying. How many more have to die, have to get shot in order to prove a point?"

Four men between 17 and 18 years old were taken into custody at the scene of the crash. Police are still investigating what led up to the shooting.

As police investigate, activists are working to make sure these sorts of violent acts never happen again.

"I preach forgiveness. I want to offer forgiveness and love to the individuals involved," said Nitty.