Crime
6-Year-Old Child Killed After Shooting on Milwaukee Northwest Side
MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee police have taken three individuals into custody in connection with the tragic shooting death of a 6-year-old boy on Tuesday night, April 1, 2025. The child, identified by family members as Da’quel Collins, was killed just two days before his seventh birthday.
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 9:30 p.m. in the 4200 block of North 51st Boulevard, located on the city’s northwest side near the Academy of Excellence – North Campus.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Collins suffering from gunshot injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police announced on Friday that three individuals had been arrested in connection with the shooting: a 21-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, and a 26-year-old woman.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation, and authorities have not yet specified the role each suspect may have played.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office will review the case and determine formal charges.
Family, friends, and community members gathered Friday evening to hold a vigil in memory of Da’quel, honoring his short life with candles, prayers, and balloons.
The tragedy has deeply shaken the community and reignited concerns about gun safety and violence involving children.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson issued a statement following the incident:
“I am enormously saddened by the death of the six-year-old last evening. I offer my condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragedy. Let’s be clear, guns must never be used or left unattended around children. Adults must take every precaution to protect young people, and that includes locking guns, storing firearms safely, and always keeping weapons out of the reach of children. I know police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, and I am hopeful the appropriate people will be held to account.”
Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Milwaukee Police or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.