Curfew for young people after Milwaukee shootings injure 21

MILWAUKEE

On Saturday, Milwaukee officials imposed a curfew on young people and increased patrols following the shooting of 21 people in downtown Milwaukee near the entertainment district where many were gathered to watch the NBA playoffs.

Three people were wounded in the first shooting. One was injured in second. 17 were also hurt in what police called an “exchange” of gunfire between two groups. This happened just blocks from the arena that the Milwaukee Bucks lost in Game 6 to the Boston Celtics. All the victims are expected survive.

“What makes people believe they can have a shootout in a public place or in an entertainment area, regardless of whether there are police present?” Nicole Waldner, assistant police chief, was asked this question at a noon press conference.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson saidThe city placed a curfew on the downtown area, requiring anyone aged 20 years or less to leave the streets by 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There are plans for additional police patrols.

Johnson said, “We can’t have that in this town, nor any other in this state or anywhere else here in this country.” said.

The mayor did not mention plans to ban downtown watch parties during Sunday’s Game 7. Although the game is in Boston but thousands of fans congregate downtown to see it on big-screen TVs located in the Deer District. This area hosts many bars and restaurants, where large crowds can gather to watch major sporting events.

Waldner saidThree people were hurt in the initial shooting that took place at 9:10 pm, near the Deer District. A 16-year-old girl was among them. One man is now in custody.

Bill Reinemann is a parking attendant in the lot next to Deer District. saidHe heard gunshots and then saw scores of people fleeing.

He stated, “It sounded six to eight shots.” said”It was very close.”

One person was shot at 10:30 p.m. Waldner said that no arrest was made. said.

At 11:09 p.m., 17 more people were wounded in a shooting. Waldner said that five of them were armed and were taken into custody with the other 10. said. The motive for the shooting is still unknown by police.

Waldner said, “There were a few groups exchanging guns despite the incredible police presence downtown.” said. “District 1 officers reported bullets flying past their heads.”

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, broken glass, empty alcohol bottles and single shoes littered the streets after the chaos.

Jake O’Kane (25), from Appleton, Wisconsin attended the playoff game along with his girlfriend. After the game, they watched the commotion and then went to bars for a while before finally deciding to ride Lyft to a restaurant.

O’Kane saidThey were waiting outside for their ride, and then suddenly you hear the “pop, pop, pop” behind them.

O’Kane saidHe heard 20 shots before he could capture 22 more on video. He believed the gunfire was just a few hundred meters from his group.

Two minutes after the driver pulled up, I said “I.” said, bro — drive!” O’Kane said.

The Bucks saidFriday night’s statement stated that no shootings took place in the Deer District. An estimated 11,000 people gathered outside the arena to watch the game.

Milwaukee was one of many U.S. towns that experienced record-breaking numbers of murders in 2021. The majority of these killings were guns. This list also includes Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and other cities.

Experts believe that stress and the pressures created by the COVID-19 epidemic contributed to the violence. Johnson blamed the ease of access to guns.

Johnson said that the central problem lies in the fact that people can easily obtain guns. said. This is not a Milwaukee problem. We’ve seen an increase in fatal and non-fatal shootings across the country.

Out of the 193 Milwaukee killings in 2021 there were 180 that were committed with firearms. Police data shows that another 873 people were shot and wounded.

The pace is even faster this year. Milwaukee already has 77 deaths, which is a 40% increase over the 2021 equivalent. This year, there have been 264 non-fatal shootings. That’s two more than the number recorded a year ago.

O’Kane saidHe worries about Milwaukee’s future.

“Are we going back to another game, if the win is ours?” Yes, I’m still going Bucks games. But will we be going out to party afterward? There is no way.