Police investigate the scene of a shooting after the Juneteenth celebration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Picure: AP)
At least six teenagers were shot immediately after a Juneteenth celebration in Milwaukee, police said.
Police responded to the celebration held at the city’s Rose Park around 4.21pm on Monday. The event was hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Church of God in Christ.
The violence started when two groups of young women got into a fight, Milwaukee Police said.
Cell phone footage obtained by local station Fox 6 appears to show much of the brawl right up until the moment another teenager pulled out a gun and began firing shots.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson addresses the media after the shooting following the city’s Juneteenth celebration (Picture: AP)
The victims were identified as four females, aged 14, 16, 17, and 18, and two males, aged 17 and 19.
‘MPD’s preliminary investigation suggests that a 17-year-old male was also the shooter, however we are seeking additional unknown suspects.’
On Tuesday, Milwaukee Police announced that they also arrested the 19-year-old male ‘in connection’ to the shooting. It is unclear if he was also a shooter.
‘Milwaukee – what’s going on with our children?’ Police Chief Jeffrey Norman asked at a press conference on Monday. ‘No handgun, no weapon of destruction, should be in the hand of our young ones.’
Norman said that he had been involved with the city’s Juneteenth festivities for eight years, but had never seen an incident of violence like this before.
The chief estimated ‘thousands’ of people showed up to celebrate peacefully throughout the day.
‘This incident did not happen during Juneteenth,’ Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. ‘This happened after Juneteenth had concluded. But still, it is totally, totally unacceptable.’
‘If you are an adult or a young person who got their hands on a gun, and you are ill-tempered – don’t come to stuff like this,’ the mayor said. ‘If you are intent on causing death or harm or destruction, then do not come. Because you do not have the right to steal the joy that this community felt today.’
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‘Milwaukee – what’s going on with our children?’