Mayor Barrett says those in Madison partially to blame for Milwaukee's violence; lawmakers respond

MADISON (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Assembly is back in session, and on Tuesday, April 14th, lawmakers responded to charged comments from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett regarding all the violence we've seen in Milwaukee in recent weeks.

Mayor Barrett held a news conference Monday afternoon -- after an incident Sunday in which three people were killed. It began when a two-year-old was hit by a car and killed near 48th and Glendale. That crash led to a shooting. Archie Brown, the 40-year-old driver who hit Damani Terry was shot and killed. Terry's brother, 15-year-old Rasheed Chiles was also shot. He died at the hospital.

Mayor Barrett on Monday criticized Governor Scott Walker and the state Legislature for passing laws that put more guns on the streets. He called for more resources to deal with all the violence in Milwaukee.

"I do want to lock up more people who do get involved in gun fights in parks, in streets, outside taverns because black lives matter," Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett is calling on lawmakers to help curb all the violence in Milwaukee.

"No increase in police staffing levels would have prevented the horrific tragedy on 48th Street (Sunday). None. So there has to be something else and another way for us to deal with these issues," Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett says homicides are up 160% in Milwaukee this year, and he's putting at least part of the blame on those in Madison.

"This community has to face the reality that the gun laws that this state has put forward over the last few years, as proud as it makes the Governor and the Legislature feel, has resulted in more guns on the streets of the city of Milwaukee," Mayor Barrett said.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says lawmakers have tried to help solve Milwaukee's problem by providing for things like ShotSpotter technology that helps police track gunfire.

"I have not seen any data to this point besides hyperbole as to whether or not the bills that I supported which allowed for concealed carry, I mean were the people that perpetrated the crimes concealed carry holders? We don`t know that. So I don`t really know the point he`s driving at other than trying to misdirect the public," Vos said.

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca sees the answer to stopping all the violence as a multi-pronged approach, including things like healthcare and providing jobs.

"We'll be caucusing in the next week-and-a-half to discuss a range of other issues that we think might help to address Mayor Barrett's issues and concerns," Barca said.

Barca says he expects to see legislation come up in May that deals with access to guns and he thinks that will spawn a vibrant debate on the topic.

Several city leaders in Milwaukee on Tuesday issued statements in response to all the violence:

Alderman Bob Donovan:

Milwaukee County Supervisors Michael Mayo, Sr., and Khalif Rainey said Tuesday Sunday's incident near 48th and Glendale was evidence people are taking the law into their own hands:

Milwaukee Police Association President Mike Crivello issued this statement: