MILWAUKEE — A 2-year-old boy was shot and brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries on Thursday morning near 45th and North Ave, according to police.
Milwaukee police said the incident happened around 10 a.m., and a 21-year-old Milwaukee man was taken into custody. Criminal charges will be referred against him.
Police urged residents to lock their firearms away from the reach of children.
Members of the boy's family told TMJ4 News that he'd been shot in the hand, though they didn't say how.
Community activist Tracey Dent said while the circumstances are unclear, a situation like this could've easily been prevented.
"They have to take ownership. If they have a weapon in the house, put it up. Use a gun lock. Put a gun lock on your gun," said Dent.
Dent said he and other Prince Hall Freemasons handed out about 500 gun locks over the past month. However, Dent said, gun locks won't address the volume of guns on the streets and the many people who carry them for protection in a violent society.
"A lot of kids feel like their parents don't care about them. They don't love them. If they can't find love in the home, they're going to find love in the streets," said Dent. "And the reality is, the streets don't love anyone. They just try to take advantage of what you got. And use you. I implore mothers and fathers to love your child."
Milwaukee Police data shows both homicides and non-fatal shootings are up from last year. Juvenile non-fatal shootings — from the first of the year through late July — rose from 62 in 2022 to 82 this year, according to data. Juvenile homicides rose from 12 to 13 during the same period.
Milwaukee Police are investigating a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Thursday, August 24th, 2023, at approximately 10:08 a.m., on the 2300 block of N. 45th St. The victim, a 2-year-old Milwaukee male, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. A 21-year-old Milwaukee male was taken into custody. Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the upcoming days.
MPD would like to remind the public to keep firearms locked with a gunlock and secured in an area out of the reach of children. If anyone needs a gunlock, please contact your local district to check the availability of free gunlocks.
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