10-year-old killed in shooting near Clarke and Vel R. Phillips, community says 'we have to do more'

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee police have released the name of the 10-year-old boy shot and killed Tuesday night near Vel R. Phillips and Clarke Street. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Zysean Owten.

Police say the shooting happened just before 8:30 p.m. near Clarke and Vel R. Phillips. A 36-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman were taken into custody. The medical examiner’s report says Owten likely accidentally shot himself with his friend’s firearm, though the investigation is ongoing.

The news of his death came as community members gathered Wednesday for a candlelight vigil honoring people lost to gun violence this year. Organizers had planned for 132 candles but added one more for Zysean.

Milwaukee Public Schools Director Dr. James Ferguson said the loss of a child is another reminder of the toll gun violence continues to take.

“My heart is deeply shattered, and no doubt broken this morning,” he said.

Milwaukee Public Schools reports 16 students this year have been impacted by gun violence. State data shows the issue extends far beyond the city. According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, firearms are the second leading cause of death for children ages 17 and under in Wisconsin.

During the vigil, community members expressed grief and frustration as they stood in front of dozens of candles representing lives lost.

Adam Procell, the Director of the Office of Community Wellness and Safety said, “Faces on these candles… are looking at me and saying, why couldn’t you help us? And I feel we’re all responsible.”

He said Zysean’s age should serve as a turning point.

“That 10-year-old…is an absolute necessity for us to understand we have to do more,” Procell added.

Bredna Hines, who founded her organization Donovan Hines Foundation of Exuberance Co. after losing her son to gun violence, said adding another candle is a sign the community cannot continue on the same path.

“We just added one more…how many more do we have to add?” she said.

She said the pain reaches deep, into families, schools and neighborhoods.

Ferguson closed the vigil by urging the community to act.

“As lives are being wasted, I call for you to take this flame and let it be a call of action,” he told the crowd.

Community members at the vigil said they do not want to return next year with more candles to light. Many said they hope Zysean’s death sparks change and leads to real action to protect Milwaukee’s children.

POSTED: 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2025

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Fire Department says they were called to a scene near Clarke Street and Vel R. Phillips Tuesday night.

They say one person was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound. 

This is a developing story. Stick with CBS 58 for updates on-air and online.