Milwaukee Homicide Total in 2016 Nears 2015 Number

CBS 58— As 2016 comes to an end, the homicide total in Milwaukee continues to rise.

Milwaukee police say as of December 26, 141 people have been killed compared to 145 at the same time last year.

One of those killed over the holiday weekend was 27-year-old Deandre Allen, who was remembered at a vigil Tuesday night.

“People we need to do better,” said Shannon Allen, Deandre’s mother. “We need to stop hating on one another and start loving on one another.”

Deandre leaves behind six kids ranging from age 2 to 10.

“They [the kids] don't deserve this,” Shannon said. “They should be at home playing with their new Christmas toys that their dad bought them.”

Deandre is one of 141 people killed in Milwaukee this year a number approaching the 2015 total, one of the deadliest years in recent memory.

“I am devastated,” said Qualaundra Carr, Deandre’s cousin. “I’m outraged with the numbers. We need help.”

Carr knows all too well the toll the violence takes. Her son Quamari was killed two months ago.

“It's horrible for my family right now,” Carr said. “This violence has to stop. It's taking our youth. All of our youth. We have no young black men anymore. It's taking them all.”

Shannon says she is praying for justice and an end to the violence so his Deandre's kids can grow up in a safe community.

“He always will live within in his children,” Shannon said. “Every last one of them have a different.”

Police are still searching for suspects in Deandre’s murder.