'It's just sad': Milwaukee sees surge of violence during city's Peace Week initiative

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — There has been a surge of violence across Milwaukee, not just this week but since the beginning of the year.

Police say four people were shot and killed between Monday and Wednesday, with the youngest victim being 17 years old.

Right now, no one is in custody for any of these deadly shootings.

The rise in homicides comes as Peace Week events continue around the city of Milwaukee.

According to Milwaukee police, there have been at least 42 homicides in Milwaukee this year alone.

That's 10 more compared to this time last year.

At 39th and Cherry Street, a neighbor in the area said this is a trend that does not seem to be slowing down.

"I saw a young boy standing out there, and I told my friends I just see trouble. Later that morning, they had this whole block just taped off and I found out a 17-year-old boy got shot," said a north side resident.

The north side resident did not want to be on camera but said a group of kids were looking for the 17-year-old on Monday.

"They ended up firing at him and a bullet came through my window," the resident explained.

However, early the next morning, he got a call from his neighbor.

"He woke me up and told me check outside, check outside, and everything just taped off, and I knew that kid got killed," said the man said.

On Milwaukee's south side, 30-year-old Astri Gonzalez was shot and killed Monday night. That's according to her friend, who CBS 58 talked to off camera Wednesday.

"It's just sad to see these young people and how quick they die. They don't understand how valuable their lives are," a north side resident explained.

CBS 58 caught up with Mayor Cavalier Johnson Wednesday, who says this needs to stop.

"I want those folks held to account. I think those families also want those individuals held to account," said Mayor Johnson.

According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, hospitals see an increase of shooting victims when the weather gets warm.

Which, for the dad of two, is a concern.

"As a father that's got custody of his kids, trying to raise them right, to have a safe area for them to live in, play in, it's just wrong for people to be out here that could affect the innocent people," said a north side resident.

Earlier last month, Milwaukee police released their Violent Crime Reduction Plan.

It includes community-oriented policing, partnering with youth outreach programs, and a firearm denial program which they say will prevent guns from getting in the wrong hands.