MILWAUKEE, WI – In the wake of a violent weekend where thirteen shootings were reported, leaving 18 people shot and four killed, County Executive David Crowley issued the following statement:
“Too often our community is facing the same type of tragedy over and over again; it is too often that we are discussing the aftermath of violent weekends across our community.
“My heart breaks for the families, friends, and neighbors of those directly impacted by gun violence. As a father and as Milwaukee County Executive, I want nothing more than for every child in our community to grow up in a world free from senseless gun violence.
“According to data from the CDC, gun violence has become the leading cause of death of children in our country. The first homicide of the year and the most recent homicide over the weekend, involved a teenager under the age of 18. In Milwaukee County, three youth have been killed and 13 injured by gun violence in the past 23 days of the new year. This is unacceptable.
“As leaders, we must not sit silent, nor idle. We have the power and responsibility to marshal all of our resources to address the tragedies, of course, but more importantly, we must address the circumstances that allow gun violence to persist in our communities.
“The violence manifesting itself is the result of a multitude of deficiencies across the spectrum. Disinvestment in communities, lack of public safety resources and generational neglect.
“For the sake of our greater community, our region and our State – I, along with all of Milwaukee County, will continue to advocate and fight to improve the quality of life for all of our residents. I ask every state, municipal, and community leader to join me in committing to doing everything possible to prevent and reduce gun violence. Our children and families deserve nothing less.”
