Crime
14-year-old Bryant Triplett killed after shooting near 21st and Concordia in Milwaukee
Police have arrested an 18-year-old man believed to be responsible for the shooting.
Milwaukee police are investigating the tragic death of 14-year-old Bryant Triplett, who was fatally shot Saturday night, December 28, near the intersection of 21st Street and Concordia Avenue.
Authorities have released limited details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting, stating that the incident remains under active investigation.
Officers were seen back in the neighborhood on Sunday morning, working to piece together evidence and gather more information.
Police have arrested an 18-year-old man believed to be responsible for the shooting.
However, the suspect’s identity has not been disclosed, and no motive has been shared at this time.
Bryant’s death marks yet another heartbreaking incident in what has been a violent end to the year for Milwaukee’s young residents.
On Christmas Day, two teenagers were killed in a separate shooting at 37th Street and Scott Street, while a six-year-old child was injured by gunfire the same day.
Milwaukee police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Tipsters can contact the department directly at (414) 935-7360. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or use the P3 Tips app to submit information.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for community cooperation in addressing gun violence. Law enforcement and city officials are appealing to residents to help bring those responsible to justice and to work together to prevent further tragedies.
Further updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.