15-year-old girl latest victim of gun violence in Milwaukee; advocates, mayor speak out

NOW: 15-year-old girl latest victim of gun violence in Milwaukee; advocates, mayor speak out
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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Advocates and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson are speaking out after a 15-year-old girl was shot near 17th and Capitol Thursday night.

The group, "Moms Demand Action Wisconsin," held an event Friday morning, Feb. 3 as this week kicked off the beginning of National Gun Violence Survivors Awareness week.

"There's a 15-year-old in the hospital right now with life-threatening injuries, that should not be the case," said Jenevia Blanks of Moms Demand Action Wisconsin.

The 15-year-old girl is said to be fighting for her life, police are still investigating what led to the shooting.

Blanks has lost several family members and friends to gun violence and said she'll continue to speak out to see change happen statewide. She's fighting for common sense gun laws.

"Every time I turn on the news there is a fatal shooting or non-fatal shooting. It is so disheartening and so many are young people. It's the hardest thing to deal with," said Blanks.

Last summer doctors from Children's Wisconsin said patients they'd treat for gun violence wounds kept getting younger and younger. According to the Milwaukee Police Department, three teens have been killed so far this year by firearms.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he's been fighting for stricter gun laws since his time in office and believes by continuing to talk about the issue, it could push for more action statewide.

"That 15-year-old girl is fighting for her life right now because the sheer accessibility of guns throughout this state and throughout the country and those are things we have to continue talking about," said Mayor Johnson. 

Mayor Johnson has been pushing for common sense gun laws since he ran for office, when asked how far he's come with fulfilling that goal he answered by saying he believes it needs to be a bipartisan effort.

Milwaukee police continue to seek unknown suspect(s).

If you have any information, please call Milwaukee police at (414)935-7360. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414)224-Tips or the P3 Tips App.

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