'Help stop the bloodshed:' Mayor says changes are coming to OVP after 4 killed in 15 weekend shootings
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After a deadly weekend in Milwaukee that saw 28 people shot in 15 separate shootings, Milwaukee city leaders expressed outrage and talked about what needed to change.
Four people were killed.
We spoke with Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who said changes will be made to the Office of Violence Prevention. But he would not elaborate further or say when those changes will be made when pressed.
He did say, "If somebody causes death, harm, and destruction in Milwaukee, there is a price to pay. And that's exactly what I expect to happen."
Johnson has long talked about a multi-pronged approach to fighting gun violence.
On Monday he repeated, "It's about getting teachers, preachers, mentors, friends, parents to step up."
And added it cannot be on police alone.
When asked if he has confidence in Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman in the wake of ongoing violence, he said, "I believe in Chief Norman; I believe in his leadership. That being said, there obviously is still more work to do, and both he and I are committed to doing that work."
Notably absent over the weekend was the director of the Office of Violence Prevention, Ashanti Hamilton.
Despite 15 shootings, 28 people shot, and four killed, there was no comment from Hamilton.
We asked the mayor if Hamilton's job is safe for now. He answered, "Ashanti's job and the Office of Violence Prevention has been changing and will continue to change. We'll be looking to make some changes."
Not in leadership, the mayor said, but in how the office functions.
When will those changes come? He said, "We're working on them presently."
Two of the shootings qualify as mass shootings: Milwaukee police are still investigating a Sunday night shooting that injured nine people, and a quadruple shooting Sunday night.
Authorities said Saturday's shooting took place near 14th and Burnham; Sunday's incident took place near 12th and Mitchell. Police confirmed two men, both 22 years old, were taken into custody. Authorities do not believe the shootings are connected.
In the wake of the violent weekend, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson released the following statement:
“Gun violence over the past weekend is entirely unacceptable in this city. My thoughts are with the shooting victims, their friends and their families.
The Milwaukee Police have made arrests and are continuing to investigate all the incidents that took place. The Milwaukee Fire Department provided emergency medical services and deserve praise for their work.
I insist our criminal justice system fully prosecute and punish those responsible for this violence. I am directing our Office of Violence Prevention to take every reasonable step to educate, intervene and mediate so that we can reduce the gun violence here.
I again ask everyone – parents, neighbors, teachers, preachers, and mentors – to step up in ways that will help stop the bloodshed. I will add, leaders and legislators must take a renewed look at our gun laws to decrease the likelihood that guns end up in the hands of people who should not have them."
Governor Tony Evers also took to social media to share a statement:
Kathy and I are praying for all those affected by the senseless acts of gun violence in Milwaukee over the weekend and for the swift recovery of all those injured.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) August 21, 2023
Gun violence is a public health crisis. We must do more to keep our kids, our families, and our communities safe.
In addition, CBS 58 spoke to Milwaukee Common Council President and 12th District Alderman Jose Perez, who said violence amongst Latinos in his district is unacceptable.
"The community is tired, businesses are tired, residents are tired, the council's tired of everyone resolving any conflict they have or just resorting to firearms and violence," he said. "It’s got to stop, and you know, I think a lot of this starts at home.”
Ald. Perez said Saturday's incident was unfortunate, but large gatherings without permits occur too often in the area.
"There’s no supervision, it’s not permitted, police don’t know about it, our office doesn’t know about it, we can’t put a barricade. There’s a reason we have a process for events in the public,” he added.
While the number of non-fatal shootings is ahead of last year's pace, homicides are actually down, so Mayor Johnson said some strategies are working.
Another strategy they're working to implement is adding more police officers as required by state law. The mayor says he supports that provision.