Family members hold vigil for Milwaukee 16-year-old shot and killed near Layton & Greenfield
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Family members and friends gathered near the intersection of Layton Blvd. & Greenfield Ave. in Milwaukee on Sunday night, just a day after a 16-year-old was shot and killed in the area.
According to Milwaukee police, the shooting happened shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Police say the 16-year-old victim, identified by family members as Camron Bowen, died from gunshot wounds at an area hospital.
Balloons, flowers, candles and photos of Bowen were displayed in the street. Loved ones say Bowen was a sophomore at Bay View High School in Milwaukee and just celebrated his golden birthday on Sept. 16.
“My son was my best friend. He was everything to me. And someone just took him,” said Jennifer Cassidy, Bowen’s mother. “I’m just so numb. I’m hurt. I miss him.”
According to Bowen’s mother, the suspect in the shooting had been in a fight with Bowen last week at school. Allegedly, the two ended up on the same bus on Saturday, and when Bowen got off the bus to go home, the suspect shot Bowen seven times.
CBS 58’s Kathryn Merck spoke with Elizabeth Kutska, Bowen’s aunt who lives in Appleton, on the phone Sunday. She said her family is shattered by the news of her first-born nephew’s passing.
“He was so full of light and had such a gorgeous smile. He would have done anything for anybody that he loved,” Kutska said through tears. “It’s really sad that kids have to go to guns because they don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods anymore. It’s not ok, these are babies.”
Kutska said this is the second family member she’s lost to gun violence in Milwaukee.
“It’s just so much gun violence down there and I want people to have conversations with their kids and make them realize this is not the way. Actions have consequences and it left us with a big hole that is never going to be filled and we will never see that gorgeous smile again,” Kutska said.
Milwaukee police say they are looking for unknown suspects and the shooting remains under investigation.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.
A GoFundMe has been created in support of Bowen’s family.
