Police investigate 2 deadly overnight shootings in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Police are investigating two deadly shootings. The shootings happened just blocks away from each other.

Vanessa Lara was coming home from work Thursday evening when she saw a busy scene near 11th and Atkinson.

“They had all the park blocked," Lara said.

Police say around 8 p.m. a 25-year-old man and his girlfriend were sitting in a car.

The girlfriend told police someone approached the car and tried to rob them.

Police say the person shot into the car, killing Jack R. Cooper.

“As we look at armed robberies, that’s a serious concern in our city, and we know in some cases that’s a crime of opportunity," Reggie Moore said. He is the director of the Office of Violence Prevention.

Moore says he understands families are suffering during these times, but he says this shouldn't lead to stealing and killing.

“There’s never an excuse to pull out a gun and shoot somebody over anything material," Moore said.

Police are also looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 58-year-old near 22nd and Melvina Street.

Police say just before 3 a.m. Friday, the man was shot while driving.

“We did see an increase in a number of shots fired into vehicles last year." Moore said.

Moore tells CBS 58 that since their violence prevention press conference a few weeks ago, the 414 Life program has been doing some work to combat the homicide rate.

“The team is continuing to work in primarily old north Milwaukee, across the city, in responding to gunshot wound victims at Froedtert Hospital as well as the public awareness campaigns," Moore said. 

If you have any information about either of these shootings, you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS.

You will remain anonymous.