Milwaukee leaders call for community-wide effort in addressing gun violence following deadly weekend

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Police continue investigating multiple homicides and non-fatal shootings from over the weekend as leaders express concern and frustration over the troubling trend of violence.

“We’re seeing way too many shootings in the city, the shootings are up dramatically over last year,” Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters during a news conference Monday, May 17. “It is just insane the number of guns we have in this community, particularly in the hands of young people, people who have felony records, people who by law should not be able to have these guns.”

Milwaukee police are investigating at least four gun-related deaths from over the weekend, three of which are investigated as homicides. On top of that, there were several other shootings that left victims with non-fatal injuries.

“We all have a responsibility in making Milwaukee County strong and Milwaukee County safe,” Sheriff Earnell Lucas said in response to a question from CBS 58 during a news conference Monday. “We’ve got to begin the work because we’re losing too many young people in our community right now.”

Milwaukee’s Office of Violence Prevention told CBS 58 it is set to roll out several summer programs aimed at youth to help address the issue.

On top of that, it is working with other agencies to boost prevention efforts.

“We’re working with system partners looking at trends,” Arnitta Holliman, ReCAST manager at the Office of Violence Prevention told CBS 58 in an interview. “What’s happening? Who’s doing the shooting? What are the precipitating events? So [we’re] working with the medical college, the DA’s office, and other community stake holders.”