'Devastating': 12-year-old boy killed, another injured after shooting at birthday party in West Allis bar
Updated: 2 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2023
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the boy fatally shot as 12-year-old Ronnel Smith.
Published: 9:24 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2023
WEST ALLIS, Wis (CBS 58) -- A 12-year-old boy is dead, and another child is injured after a shooting late Saturday night at a West Allis bar.
Police responded just after 9 p.m. on Feb. 25 to several phone calls reporting gunshots in the area of the 56th St. and Lincoln Ave., where a 17-year-old girl's birthday party was taking place at Bug N Out Lounge.
When they arrived on scene, officials said they found two individuals who had been struck by gunfire.
One victim, who police later said was a 12-year-old, died at the scene. The other, whose age currently remains unknown, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Amy Thompson, the owner of the bar, tells CBS 58 there is an upstairs area that she uses for hosting parties often, without issues.
"Parents were here, and her aunt, at the front door they were frisking people, patting them down, making sure no one was coming in with anything. There was guidance up here," Thompson said. "I'm very sorry that this happened, I just, I hope that they catch these kids. I don't know what's going on with kids nowadays that you can't throw a birthday party."
After the shooting, West Allis police posted to social media, directing parents and other family members to meet up with their children at Longfellow Elementary, just down the road.
WAPD is currently investigating a shooting incident near 57th & Lincoln. If you have a loved one who was attending a social gathering in that area, please go to Longfellow Elementary School, 2211 S. 60 St., for reunification with your loved one. Active and ongoing investigation.
— West Allis PD (@WestAllisPD) February 26, 2023
That's where Damein Shiabazz headed to pick up his niece and two grandsons who were attending the party.
"This don't make no sense. There are kids out here just having a nice time and then you got people running out here that want to play with guns," Shiabazz said. "I don't even know what a 12-year-old could possibly do to get killed."
While police have not yet released exact details regarding the situation, Shiabazz believes the dispute stemmed from an argument over a pair of designer glasses.
"It's supposed to be a kid's party. Why are you bringing a gun to a kid's party?" Shiabazz said. "They just some kids celebrating a 17-year-old girl's birthday party and she really didn't get a chance to celebrate because she's probably devastated right now, you know?"
Both extend their condolences to the victim's family, and hope that things change before other children get hurt.
But neighbors tell CBS 58 they're concerned about the violence uptick happening near their homes.
"I heard a loud, just screaming and then a whole bunch of pops and about 30 people came running out of everywhere," said bystander Cameron Albrecht. "I just heard collisions and just slamming and glass breaking and just all kinds of noise and then just people came running out going up and down the alleys."
Albrecht noted his worries about an alleged recent drive-by as well.
"It happened to be between 61st and 56th so essentially right in front of the bar," Albrecht said.
According to police, nobody has been taken into custody for this shooting.
West Allis officers and detectives are continuing to investigate what happened. Additional information may be released in the future as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact the West Allis Police Department at (414)302-8000.