On Ceasefire Sabbath, Mayor Barrett spreads message of peace: "We want this to be a safer city"
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Sunday, May 15th visited three churches on the 12th annual "Ceasefire Sabbath." This, as the 37th homicide of 2016 was recorded in the city of Milwaukee this weekend.
The latest homicide happened on Saturday, May 14th near Richards and Hadley.
Police say three individuals were sitting in a car when two suspects approached the car and began shooting. The car drove off and crashed a short distance away.
Two of the people inside the car were hit by gunfire. Both were taken to a hospital by the Milwaukee Fire Department. One of them, a 29-year-old man, later died from his injuries.
The second victim, a 30-year-old man, was being treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
Shooting near Richards & Hadley
"The victims of shootings this city are 87% African-American. We want this to be a safer city," Mayor Barrett said.
So Mayor Barrett again reached out to the faith community.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Ceasefire Sabbath
"We need their help because there are issues in some neighborhoods where public safety is already an issue," Barrett said.
Barrett on Sunday visited three churches to spread a message of peace and non-violence:
"I realize a lot of the kids getting into trouble now 10 years ago were four and five years old. We have to reach them as teenagers -- and that`s what we are trying to do," Barrett said.
Barrett hoped his message in the churches Sunday will translate to the streets -- with loved ones reaching out to the young people in their family.
Homicide near 64th & Bobolink
"I realize that if someone was in a bar at 2:00 a.m. this morning they are not going to be at a 9:30 service Sunday morning but they might have a mother here, a grandmother here and those are the people we are tying to reach," Barrett said.
Those in attendance seemed to be receptive to the message. Some said they too want to combat the violence in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Ceasefire Sabbath
"I feel he`s gotten my attention, so I feel other people will follow suit," Tim Felix said.
"I want this to be a city where a grandmother can be on the front porch and watch their grandkids play safely their front yard," Barrett said.
To give Milwaukee's young people something positive and constructive to do this summer, Barrett said he is in the process of creating jobs for more than 1,000 teenagers.
CLICK HERE to learn more about "Earn & Learn," Mayor Barrett's summer employment program for teenagers.
Homicide at 81st and Villard