Teens killed on Christmas, Milwaukee community mourns

A Milwaukee community is mourning the deaths of two teens who were shot and killed on Christmas.

Exziel Rivera, 15, and Nayah Vasquez, 18, were shot and killed near 37th and Scott. It happened just before 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

Community mourns

Family and friends are placing black and purple balloons, candles, flowers and prayers to pay their respects. Two days after Rivera's death, Mimi Trujano reflected on the loss of her best friend. 

"He had a good personality. He made sure to be here for you," she said. "I can't imagine what his mom is going through right now. He loved his mom so much. He loved his family."

Exziel Rivera

Neighbors told FOX6 News they heard several gunshots before one car crashed into another and ended up on someone's porch.

"It’s a tragedy when young lives are lost. It's really not something I can really even comprehend, someone so young losing their life," said Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

Martinez represents the 12th District, where the teens were killed.

"It happens in my district, it happens in the 14th – the north side – and it happens in any district that is underserved," he said. "Crime is a system of poverty, and we wouldn’t have these issues if our communities had the resources that they need in order to be able to thrive."

On Friday, Martinez stood alongside his niece, Trujano, who left this message: "I just want everyone to know his name and know that it's not right that kids are dying like this."

Related

Milwaukee Christmas Day shootings; 2 teens dead, identified, child shot

Milwaukee police are investigating different shootings that occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 25, that left a child injured and two teenagers dead.

MPD tips

Police are still looking for whoever is responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call MPD at 414-935-7360; to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or use the P3 tips app.

Crime and Public SafetyNewsMilwaukee