Killed on the Fourth of July

This year, we've been blessed with spectacular weather to enjoy all the spectacular activities that mark the Fourth of July.

No need to worry about severe weather or oppressive heat and humidity. Mosquitoes are my only concern, and I can manage that.

I love celebrating our nation's independence -- fun and patriotism. Pure joy.

Juxtapose that with this, from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Five people were shot and killed in Milwaukee early today in two separate incidents, police said.

Four of the victims, two men and two women, were killed at 2:39 a.m. at an outdoor party in the 2500 block of N. 29th St., police said. Someone opened fire on the group. Two other people were injured in the shooting, though police were unsure if both were hit by bullets.

In the other incident, a 25-year-old man was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting at 3:43 a.m. in the 400 W. Maple St., police said.

What a horrible, bloody start to the Fourth of July weekend!

Five people dead, four gunned down at one party!

TMJ4 has more:

Milwaukee police say at least one gunman fired into a crowd of more than 100 people partying in the street, killing four of them.

Police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz says two women, ages 23 and 27, and two men, ages 24 and 28, were killed at about 2:30 a.m. Friday. Two people suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

She says police have no suspect in custody and police are having difficulty getting cooperation from witnesses as they try to determine what happened.

Four people are murdered and witnesses aren't cooperating with police.

From another Journal Sentinel article:

Schwartz said police need more cooperation from witnesses in the quadruple homicide.

"There were more than 100 people in the area and we know they know what happened. We need them to call us," she said.

I understand that fear for their own lives could be the reason for their silence.

But without the cooperation of witnesses and others with information on the killings, someone may get away with murder. Without cooperation with authorities, there can be no justice. The killer or killers are free, able to commit another slaughter or other crimes.

That should terrify anyone in Milwaukee or visiting the city.

Five people were shot dead in the span of about one hour in Milwaukee. Think about it. That's absolutely horrible!

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that the Thug Culture is Milwaukee's greatest challenge.

The thugs are killing the city.
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Shooting victims identified

Kendrick L. Jackson, 34, of Milwaukee.

Jacoby E. Claybrooks, 28, of Milwaukee.

Theresa Raddle, 23, of Milwaukee.

Marielle Fisher, 27, of Glendale.

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The sixth Fourth of July murder in Milwaukee happened Friday evening.

I think Mayor Tom Barrett should address this rash of violence. Governor Jim Doyle should comment as well.

SIX MURDERS. That's hard to ignore.