'Put down your guns:' 7-year-old boy struck by gunfire while sitting in vehicle

Shooting investigation near 5th and Concordia, Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- A 7-year-old boy, previously reported as a 6-year-old, is hospitalized after being shot and wounded late Thursday, May 16 while sitting inside a vehicle on Milwaukee's north side. The child is listed in critical but stable condition. He has already had one surgery -- and may need more.

Police say around 10:30 p.m. Thursday the mother of the 7-year-old took her son to a hospital to receive medical attention for a gunshot wound. The preliminary investigation reveals the child was inside a car that was parked near 5th and Concordia when someone began shooting a gun. Bullets pierced the vehicle and struck the child.

Minister Rafe Perry

"It's been a troubled block for some time," said Minister Rafe Perry. "We as a people need to mount up and take back our neighborhood, take responsibility and police our own."

The boy's mother was not injured.

"It is, it is so sad," said Pastor Elijah Ndon.

The circumstances that led to the shooting are still being investigated and MPD is seeking a suspect.

Shooting investigation near 5th and Concordia, Milwaukee

Meanwhile, the faith community looks to its people.

"If you see something, say something. Don't just turn a blind eye -- that you didn't see it, you didn't hear it. It's gonna take a community to change it," Perry said. "I say to the pistol packing punks -- put down your guns."