A wake up call for the community: Loved ones remember popular rapper, gunned down in the street

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A wake up call for the community, as loved ones came together to remember a popular Milwaukee rapper. He was gunned down on Monday, September 8th, and his killer remains at large.

Family members and friends say 24-year-old Tavion Milams was on the verge of making it. He's described as a popular rap artist who preached positivity.

At the corner of 23rd and Townsend on Thursday evening, there was unimaginable sorrow as loved ones joined together to remember Milams' life.

Milams was shot near the corner of 23rd and Townsend Monday night. He was caught up in gunfire -- and no one has been arrested in the case.

"It was disbelief when I first heard it.  In the back of my mind I knew it was true, but it was denial," a loved one of Milams said.

There is now a son without a father, and dozens without their friend.

"He really wanted to be productive and positive and be successful for his son," a loved one of Milams said.

Milams was a popular rap artist -- known to may as "Tay Gutta."

"He was a hard worker and he was going to do the thing he said he was going to do," a loved one of Milams said.

The song "Where I come from" -- posted on the website "SoundCloud" depicts the struggles of many in Milwaukee.

"His music was heartfelt, honest and it was very transparent," a loved one of Milams said.

Family members and friends say Milams' death should be a wake up call. Those who knew Milams are asking the community to rise above the violence, and stop senselessly taking lives.

"If anyone has any information about the situation, please come forward, please let us know, because an innocent young man, very young man, died," a loved one of Milams said.

Family members don't know whether this was a random act, or whether Milams was targeted. What they do know, is that a suspect is still out there.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to contact Milwaukee police.