MPD: Woman, 24, in custody in connection to shooting that left 2-year-old girl dead
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 24-year-old woman is in custody in connection to a shooting that left a 2-year-old child dead in Milwaukee. Authorities say the woman arrested and the child killed are related.
The shooting happened Tuesday night, July 21, near 105th and Daphne. Milwaukee police identified the victim as 2-year-old Zymeiia Stevens.
A neighbor across the street from the shooting, who asked not to be identified, had just brought her own 2-year-old outside to play when it happened.
“A couple minutes into me bringing my baby outside, they were running back with the baby in their arms asking for somebody to call the police," the woman said. "Everybody was kind of scattered around, I just took my phone out and called the police.”
First responders came, but Stevens died from a gunshot would on the way to the hospital.
“It wasn’t as if this little girl was in some place that she shouldn’t have been," said Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson, whose district includes the scene of the shooting. "It was at night. She was at home. And unfortunately, she lost her life because of a bullet.”
Neighbors say violence is too common in the area, the street is lined with other memorials to people born in the area who died in the last two years from gunshots.
“Every time you see the cops around here that’s what this is," said neighbor Rio Payne, whose 16-year-old brother was shot to death in 2013. "Somebody’s either been shot, or there’s been a shooting, killing.”
Johnson said this shows why Milwaukee needs stronger gun laws, but only state lawmakers can make that change.
“What are our leaders in Madison -- especially those that control the legislature, and have for ten years, what are you thinking?"
Police say the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Milwaukee police are seeking persons of interest in regard to the shooting.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or P3 Tips App for a cash reward.