Tragedy on West Brown Deer Road: 19-Year-Old Aspiring Nurse “Bre Bre” Killed in Milwaukee Shooting Just Hours Before First Day on the Job
MILWAUKEE, WI — June 21, 2025 — A heartbreaking tragedy has rocked Milwaukee after a promising 19-year-old woman, affectionately known as “Bre Bre,” was shot and killed just hours before she was set to begin her first shift as a nurse.
The fatal shooting occurred late Friday night, June 20, along the 8000 block of West Brown Deer Road. Milwaukee police say Bre Bre was among five teenagers shot in what appears to be a targeted attack. The other four victims — boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 16 — survived and are being treated at a local hospital.
Bre Bre, a recent college student and newly certified nurse, was excited to begin her professional career. Friends and family say she had just purchased her first set of scrubs and was eager to serve her community through healthcare — a passion she had carried for years.
“She worked so hard for this moment,” said a family member. “She was supposed to walk into her first job saving lives. Instead, hers was taken from us.”
Emergency responders arrived at the scene late Friday night after multiple 911 calls reported gunshots in the area. When police arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Bre Bre was pronounced dead at the scene.
As of Saturday, no arrests have been made. The Milwaukee Police Department is actively investigating, reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and urging the public to come forward with any information.
The senseless act of violence has shaken the community, drawing outrage from city leaders and youth advocates who have seen an alarming rise in gun violence impacting young people.
“This is the future we keep losing,” said one local activist. “She wasn’t in the streets. She was in school. She was doing everything right.”
Bre Bre’s death has inspired an outpouring of grief and support across social media. Friends describe her as “gentle, kind, brilliant, and selfless.” A candlelight vigil is being planned in her memory, and discussions are underway for a scholarship fund in her name to support other aspiring healthcare workers.
In a city where families are growing increasingly fearful for their children’s safety, Bre Bre’s death is a grim reminder that even those who are working toward their dreams can fall victim to the violence that continues to plague Milwaukee streets.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
As the community mourns the loss of a bright young soul, her name now becomes a symbol in the fight for peace, justice, and change.
Bre Bre had a future. She had a purpose. She had a first day. She never made it.