'I'm going to fight every day:' Local activist loses son in shooting near 44th and Center

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 21-year-old man is dead and another hurt following a shooting in Milwaukee on Sunday night.

His mom, a community activist, is now dealing with the tragedy she's helped so many others through. 

"He had a lot of time to go, it's not time yet, it wasn't time yet," Camille Mays said.

Mays is remembering her son Darnell Woodard II as an independent man with a smart sense of humor. 

"That was my bookah," Mays said Monday morning.

Woodard was shot and killed Sunday night while sitting in a car near 44th and Center. It's the type of crime she's spent years trying to end.

"I never wanted to be here," she said. "I never could have imagined being here."

Mays is the founder of the Peace Garden Project which provides permanent memorials for crime victims. She is also a Milwaukee Crime Stoppers board member.

"I do this every day," Mays said. "I didn't wait until it came to my door. I tried to stop it from coming to my door, from touching my family, but it didn't. It didn't stop it, but I want to still fight against it."

Milwaukee Police are investigating the shooting. Mays says there isn't a suspect and as she looks for answers, she plans on making an impact.

"I'm going to fight every day. That's what I want Milwaukee to know," she said. "This is the wrong one, they picked the wrong mama, I'm not that mama. I'm going to fight every day, every night, every minute. I'm gonna fight."

As Mays continues her fight for justice for her family and others, she hangs on to her memories with Woodard.

"I just texted him out of the blue the day before it happened," she said. "I just said 'Hey Booka, haven't seen you. Are you okay?' He said, 'I'm okay. I love you.' And that's the last time I talked to him."

A 19-year-old man was also hurt in the shooting, but is expected to be OK.

A fundraiser has been set up to help Mays. If you'd like to help, donate through Cash App with handle $Wolfmanblak. 

Anyone with information can call 414-935-7360 or contact Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS(8477). You can also download the "P3 Tips" app in Google Play Store or App Store. 

You can anonymously give information to help crack the case, and there's no way to trace the call. You can also receive up to $1,000 in a cash reward.