Milwaukee Tragedy: 14-Year-Old Bryant Triplett Killed, 16-Year-Old Injured in Devastating Double Shooting
Milwaukee, WI — May 3, 2025 — A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Milwaukee as police confirmed that a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed, and a 16-year-old boy was left critically injured in a double shooting that has shocked the community and renewed urgent calls for action against youth violence.
The incident occurred late Friday evening in a residential area near North 27th Street and West Auer Avenue, a neighborhood already plagued by prior gun-related incidents. According to the Milwaukee Police Department, officers responded to multiple calls of shots fired just before 9:30 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered two teenage boys suffering from gunshot wounds.
The 14-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The 16-year-old was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, according to police.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims pending notification of their families. Investigators believe the shooting may have stemmed from an ongoing dispute, though they are also exploring other potential motives, including gang-related activity or retaliation. No arrests have been made as of Saturday morning, and police say they are actively seeking suspects.
Investigation and Community Response
Milwaukee Police are canvassing the neighborhood, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses in hopes of identifying the person or people responsible. Detectives say the shooting appears to be targeted and not random, but stress that the details are still unfolding.
“We lost a child last night—someone’s son, brother, friend,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman during a press briefing. “Another young life hangs in the balance. This violence has to stop. We are doing everything in our power to hold those accountable.”
Local residents expressed both sorrow and outrage over the shooting. “We’re tired of burying our children,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be identified. “They were just kids. They should be thinking about school, summer plans—not dying in the streets.”
Support Services and Youth Outreach
In response to the incident, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) released a statement offering condolences to the families and announcing that crisis counselors and grief support staff would be made available at area schools on Monday. “The loss of any student is a tragedy. We grieve alongside the families and are committed to supporting our students and staff during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Community organizations have mobilized quickly, with several planning vigils and peace marches in the coming days. Local nonprofit groups are urging residents to come forward with any information, offering anonymity and potential rewards.
“We cannot let these young lives be forgotten,” said Tina McBride, director of the Safe Streets Initiative. “Someone knows who did this. If you saw something, say something. Help us give these families justice.”
Gun Violence Continues to Surge
The shooting marks yet another tragic entry in what has been a violent year for Milwaukee. City officials report that firearm-related incidents involving youth have risen sharply, and despite ongoing intervention programs, many families remain caught in cycles of trauma and fear.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson has called for increased funding for youth intervention programs, tougher gun regulations, and stronger community partnerships to combat the growing crisis. “This is a public health emergency,” he said in a statement. “We must treat it like one—through education, prevention, and accountability.”
How to Help
The Milwaukee Police Department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Homicide Division at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.
A community vigil is tentatively scheduled for Sunday evening at the site of the shooting, where residents will gather to honor the life lost and pray for the recovery of the injured teen.
As the investigation continues, Milwaukee residents are left grappling with grief, fear, and a renewed urgency to find solutions to a crisis claiming far too many young lives.