Violence in Milwaukee, candlelight vigil honors victims

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee's homicide numbers continue to climb, but there are a number of groups in the city working to change that.

From a postal worker shot and killed on the job, to a mother and daughter's death deemed a murder-suicide, the city has experienced heartbreaking losses this week.

"We wanted to come out to let the people know that we care," said Brenda Hines with The Donovan Hines Foundation of Exuberance.

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People from multiple Milwaukee groups came together Saturday morning, Dec. 10 at a county event center to pray. 

"Healing is the key word. This event is a healing event itself," said community activist Tracey Dent.

Victims of Violence vigil in Milwaukee

"For the families that's been affected by gun violence, because I know all so well what they're going through," Hines said.

Hines lost her son in November 2017. He was shot and killed while driving near 29th and Hampton.

"He went out that Sunday night. He didn't return back home," she said.

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The city's homicide record has already been broken for a third straight year. The latest number from Milwaukee police show, as of Dec. 8, 205 people have been killed. At the same time in 2021, homicide deaths were reported at 184.

Hines wants to see change and said that can't happen without everyone doing their part.

"It's going to take us coming together like this to show the light in the darkness," she said. "Although the numbers are increasing, we're not going to stop coming out and coming together and let the people know that we care – we love them."

The candlelight vigil was free and open to the public. The Donovan Hines Foundation of Exuberance said other vigils will be held across the country in December to honor victims of gun violence.