Candlelight vigil honors 227 people killed in Milwaukee County in 2022
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee is facing another record year of violence in 2022.
The community gathered at Ephesians Missionary Baptist Church to honor this year's victims of violence.
Northcott Neighborhood House sponsored its annual Homicide Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, Dec. 29.
Volunteers lit 227 candles; each one honoring people killed in Milwaukee County in 2022.
"We have 26 more than we had last year," Northcott Neighborhood House Director of Operations and Juneteenth Elizabeth Coggs said.
Tonight the Northcott Neighborhood House is hosting its annual Homicide Candlelight Vigil. There’s more than 200 candles lit.
— Gabriella Bachara (@GabbyBachara) December 29, 2022
Milwaukee crime data shows 214 homicides year to date, up 11% from 2021. @CBS58pic.twitter.com/mWflWz81Oj
One of the candles belongs to Gregory Mallory's mother, Shirley Mallory. She was shot and killed while sitting on her porch in Milwaukee on Aug. 24.
"Just wanted to be around people that know my pain," Gregory Mallory said.
Homicides in Milwaukee are climbing year after year.
"It's jarring to see that many candles," Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said.
Milwaukee Police data shows homicides are up 11% since 2021 and 13% since 2020.
"It's unacceptable and all of us have a role to play, each and every single one of us in stopping this sort of violence from happening," Johnson said.
Many of the elected officials and community leaders who spoke at the vigil said they are holding out hope for a solution.
"If poverty is the driver, if mental health is the driver, we have to dig down as a society and start helping those people," Coggs said.
Northcott Neighborhood House and Ephesians Missionary Baptist Church are opening their doors to help those suffering from grief.