Racine city officials concerned over uptick in crime after multiple shootings

RACINE, Wis. (CBS58) -- Racine officials are disturbed about the violent crime in their city.

"We're definitely concerned about the uptick in gun violence we are seeing," Mayor Cory Mason said.

Three people were shot near 12th and Racine Monday morning, Sept. 7. The victims were taken to the hospital. Police confirmed their ages as 17, 18, and 21 years old. 

"When you get that young of a demographic with a firearm and poor impulse control, the outcomes are not very good," Racine Police Chief Maurice Robinson said. 

Racine Police Chief Maurice Robinson said in most cases, the suspects and victims know each other.

"There is a certain degree of familiarity between the victims and the suspects. As we move as fast as we can to identify these young folks, make some contact with them and bring the appropriate charges, that's what we will be doing," Robinson said. 

There have been seven homicides in Racine this year, compared to two last year.

"The numbers have increased over the past two weeks, so we've had three more in the past two weeks than we did previously, that tells you where we are," Robinson said.

A shooting happened Sunday night, Sept. 5. near 11th and Park Avenue. Neighbors say a woman was on her porch when bullets struck her.

"They were pounding on the door, 'she's shot, she's shot.' We come outside, she's in the hallway just laying there. My first reaction is I got to keep pressure on the wounds," Sandra Maldonado said. She lives downstairs from the victim. 

"We need to come together and oppose these kind of actions, gun violence is not the way to resolve disputes," Mayor Mason said.

Details about the triple shooting are limited. Chief Robinson says they have a good lead on it.

If you have any information about the city's recent shootings, you can call Crime Stoppers at 262-636-3774.