1 dead after pointing fake gun at suspect, 24-year-old arrested

Updated: 12:40 p.m. on March 28, 2025

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The victim was identified by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office Friday as 23-year-old Noah Crawford of Milwaukee. 

Published: 10:46 a.m. on March 26, 2025

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- One person is dead after a shooting in a church parking lot at 81st and Hope Avenue on Milwaukee’s north side.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the shooting happened around 8:42 a.m.

A pastor of Covenant Lutheran Church believes this all started when a man pointed a gun at a father while he was dropping his kids off to day care.

"I thought I heard one of the garbage can lids blow open and slammed down," said one neighbor.

Unfortunately, it was not a trash lid, but a gunshot that killed a 23-year-old man.

The pastor, who didn't want to talk on camera, tells CBS 58 the father had three kids with him.

He says the father shot the man out of fear for their safety.

However, according to Milwaukee police, the man killed was carrying a fake gun.

Police are calling this a fluid investigation and said the father hasn't been charged yet.

Police said the district attorney's office will talk to the man before making a decision.

One neighbor tells us this is an ongoing issue for the area.

"We hear gunshots frequently around here now, unfortunately. I’m kind of concerned about taking my dogs for a walk because there’s people walking around here that I’ve not seen before," said one neighbor.

There's also a school in the building with more than 200 kids. Thankfully, the pastor says the kids and staff are on spring break.

No one at the church or day care was hurt.