'This community cares:' Support pours in for Milwaukee neighborhood after 5 killed

Community rallies around neighborhood that lost a family to domestic violence

MILWAUKEE --From sorrow and suffering earlier this week to support and smiles, help is pouring in for a block on Milwaukee's north side where a family was murdered Monday morning.

Ald. Russell Stamper

"This is a community that has come together to try and heal," Alderman Russell Stamper said.

"This community cares. This community will take care of each other," said community organizer Andre Lee Ellis.

After Christopher Stokes allegedly gunned down five of his relatives in a home near 12th and Locust, Ald. Stamper -- along with the city's Office of Violence Prevention, We Got This, Inc., Community Task Force MKE and other community members -- all rallied for these residents.

Reggie Moore

"When an incident like this week happened, it not only impacts not only the family, but it impacts the whole block," Reggie Moore, director of the city's Office of Violence Prevention, said. "It really is about coming together and supporting this entire neighborhood."

On top of that tragedy, the coronavirus pandemic added another level of hardship.

"Trying to alleviate something if we can .we all know its an economic crisis it's a pandemic we want help provide people with things to protect themselves," said community activist Vaun Mayes.

Many made donations for happy bags.

Vaun Mayes

"Providing some cleaning supplies, providing some masks, some books and things children to do," Mayes said.

"Gather as many items as we can, go door-to-door, show our faces show our support for the neighbor we are here to stay we are going to improve and we will be successful as a city and as a community," Stamper said.

In addition to meeting the needs of folks physically, emotional support and information were also a major part. Whether it be domestic violence, sexual assault, or violence prevention, there are resources to help here.