Concerned Riverwest shooting was ‘politically motivated,’ community calls for federal investigation
MILWAUKEE - Members of the community came together in prayer Tuesday, July 28 after a homicide in Riverwest Thursday, July 23 -- calling on federal investigators to look into the shooting death of Bernell Trammell. Those who knew him believe he may have been killed because of his support for President Donald Trump.
Trammell was known in Riverwest as a peaceful man who would demonstrate often in favor of Black Lives Matter and President Trump.
"The issues of our community are far more, they're not partisan, right?" said Orlando Owens, candidate for Wisconsin Assembly.
Bernell Trammell
Police said Trammell, 60, was shot and killed outside his workplace near the corner of Bremen and Wright just after noon. In the same location Tuesday, community members prayed for justice.
"People are giving their opinions and they are being attacked," said Pastor Marty Calderon, executive director of God Touch Milwaukee.
Prayers for justice for Bernell Trammell
Investigators have not said yet what the motivation was behind this murder, but friends and family worry it may have had something to do with Trammell's various political stances.
"If that means we've got to bring the federal prosecutor in, so be it," said Pastor Jerome Smith, Sr. with Greater Praise Church of God in Christ. "We got to bring them in. The reason we really need to be bringing them in is not to come in here and run rampant. We need to bring them in to get to the bottom of it and get to the facts."
Fatal shooting of Prayers for justice for Bernell Trammell near Bremen and Wright
The Republican Party of Wisconsin is also asking the U.S. attorney to open an investigation.
"If it was politically motivated, OK, let's deal with it," said Smith. "If it wasn't, let's get that off the table."
FOX6 News on Tuesday reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Milwaukee, but were told they would not comment on the status of criminal investigations.
Police release surveillance images of man wanted for shooting death of Riverwest man
Police on Monday released surveillance photos of a man wanted for Trammell's death -- a man in his 30s, standing 6' tall, weighing 200 pounds, last seen riding a bicycle. Anyone with information was asked to please contact Milwaukee police.
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