Vigil held for 22-year-old man shot, killed in Atkinson Park

Family members, friends remember Alexander Cross

MILWAUKEE -- Family members, friends and frightened neighbors gathered Sunday, September 30th to remember 22-year-old Alexander Cross. Cross was one of five shot Saturday at Atkinson Park -- near 9th and Atkinson.

The Associated Press reports the four individuals shot and injured are expected to survive. They reportedly range in age from 15-23.

Milwaukee police have not yet released the names of any victims.

The Cross family told FOX6 News just before 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Cross was playing basketball with a group at Atkinson Park. Cross' family said a group rushed the court and began firing their weapons.

Hours later, the entire perimeter of the park was taped off as Milwaukee police officers continued to gather evidence.

Cross' family said he was a graduate of Vincent High School in Milwaukee. They said he had ambitions of one day becoming an entertainer.

Sophia Short said she was like a mother to Cross. Short told FOX6 News Cross wasn't mixed up in gangs or violence. Short said Cross worked two jobs -- one at Milwaukee County's Mental Health Complex.

"He brought his brothers and sisters up here from Mississippi to support them because his mom couldn't," Short said.

"He wasn't no gang banger. He was a good young man. He didn't bother nobody," Ludie Cross, Cross' aunt said.

Cross' cousin said it was the need to relax after working so hard that brought Cross to the basketball courts where he died.

"It means a lot that people came out to share their condolences and I can`t believe this right now. Senseless, senseless murder," Short said.

No one has been taken into custody in connection with this shooting.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.