MILWAUKEE-- Family is speaking out after a five-year-old boy was killed by gunfire on Milwaukee’s northwest side Saturday.
While police haven’t officially identified the victim, family tells TODAY’S TMJ4 that his name is Jamal Anderson. His great-grandmother, Wilma Harris, is understandably devastated and struggling to understand how the tragedy occurred.
“My baby is gone and he's not coming back. He's not coming back,” Harris said. “Not that he was sick and left me, but the way he was taken away is heartbreaking,” she said.
Police said the little boy died after shots were fired at Mayfair Apartments near the intersection of Lovers Lane and Silver Spring Drive early Saturday morning.
“He was doing something he knew he probably didn't have any business doing and he was in heaven,” Harris said. She said that Anderson was always smiling and loved to give her a high five or a big hug.
“There is no words that can really explain the love that child brought on a day-to-day basis,” Harris said.
It hurts her to know she won't get to have those special moments anymore.
“It just shouldn't have happened. There's too many kids dying senseless deaths. They haven't even had an opportunity to live,” Harris said.
She said that her great-grandson was at his dad's home when he was shot, but doesn't know many details beyond that.
“I don't know how it happened, and it's confusing,” Harris said. “There shouldn't have been a gun around that child.”
She and her family are looking for answers as work to cope with his death.
“We just want closure. We want his body released as soon as the coroner is finished with it, so we can go ahead and take care of the final arrangements and everything,” Harris said.
Two suspects are in custody, according to police. They're still investigating what led up to the shooting.
If you have any information about what happened to call the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7360 or click here to submit an anonymous tip to investigators.
