MILWAUKEE -- In an already violent summer, a 16-year-old boy is the latest innocent victim caught in the crossfire on Milwaukee’s north side.
Emani Robinson was shot in the arm and head Sunday evening outside of Quick Foods on 39th and W. Center Streets. His family says just five minutes before he was outside of the house on his hoverboard.
"He was out here riding all day since 9:30," said Terry May, Emani's stepfather. "He was outside with my neighbor. I went in the house and get a knock on my door five minutes later about him being shot."
May says his stepson was escorting two young boys to the corner store. As a 16-year-old, May says his stepson was a responsible young man who never got in any serious trouble.
"Friendly, funny," May said of his stepson. "Everybody on the block knows him. They knew who he was. He was a people person. It's a messed up situation."
Police confirmed Robinson was not involved in the fight that escalated to gunfire. The incident has everyone in the neighborhood shaken up.
"It's not even safe to go to the store anymore," said Jim Smith.
"It hurt my heart, seriously," said Robert Brinley. "That could be my little brother going to the store. My little cousin. It could be your cousin."
Brinley, who lives nearby, says he heard the shots.
"As we were turning the corner, I heard a couple, boom, boom, boom, boom," Brinley said. "Bullets don't have a name on it. It could have hit anybody."
May says Robinson loves football and basketball and is a fierce competitor. He says he would never turn down a challenge on the court or field. Now, the family hopes that competitive spirit helps him fight through an extremely dire situation.
"He's not doing too good," May said. "Not at all. Right now, it's not good."
