'Her light never dimmed': Family grieves loss of Milwaukee woman killed on 4th of July

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58)-- Milwaukee police are still searching for the person who killed an 18-year-old woman Sunday night, July 3. 

Police said the woman was shot and killed around 11:35 p.m. near 26th and Burleigh. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed an Amber Alert that was activated around 4 a.m. on Monday and then later canceled for a 1-year-old child, is connected to the homicide.

The suspect, Renado Hall, forcibly took the child while armed with a handgun and fled in an unknown direction, according to police.

The child was later found safe, but police are still searching for Hall.

Family of Narianna Staten say they will remember her "amazing smile and love for others."

Rynesha Staten, her cousin, tells CBS 58 "no matter how many dark times she faced, her light never dimmed."

The Asha Project Director Antonia Drew Vann said domestic violence incidents, like Staten's, spiked during the pandemic.

"The amount of anger and stress, the arguments, all of these are coming from somewhere," Drew Vann said. "We know she was trying to distance herself from him, and that is when women are in the most danger."

Drew Vann said the victim and family members might notice different behaviors in situations like this. Those need to be taken seriously.

"There's a number of signs that are there, but often times, women don't want to believe they are going to die," Drew Vann said.

If a weapon is involved, Drew Vann said the victim should find a safe space and believe any threats the person is making.

"When a perpetrator has a gun, has access to a weapon, that makes the female 500 times more likely to die," Drew Vann said.

While this advice is too late to save Staten, Drew Vann said there are several organizations in Milwaukee that can help women immediately.

"There are resources and support within the community that were culturally designed by and for those populations," Drew Vann said.

Milwaukee Police continue to seek a known suspect. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips App to remain anonymous.