Vigils held for victims of fatal shooting at north side Milwaukee gas station

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Less than 24 hours after a quadruple shooting took the lives of a man and woman at a north side gas station, mourners gathered to remember them.

They held two separate vigils within blocks of each other, as Milwaukee police continue to search for answers to help these families heal.

Mourners gathered to pray at the gas station at 27th and Capitol as they remember a remarkable man.

Jeffrey Vaughn was a father. He leaves behind a 2-year-old son.

“He meant a lot to a lot of people,” said Dana Tate, Vaughn’s stepfather.

Dana Tate watched Vaughn grow into a man who people knew they could count on.

“He liked working on things. We have a problem with our cars, you know, he’ll come over, he’ll fix them. I mean he was like a phone call away,” said Tate.

Saying goodbye is difficult. A few blocks away, at 24th and Melvina, a separate vigil was held for Malaysha Smith, remembering a spunky young lady. They’re dancing in her honor.

“She liked to dance, do music, that was her,” said Dewayne Williams, Smith’s uncle.

Smith was just 20 years old.

“She was a very good person and she’s gonna be really missed,” said Williams.

Smith’s family is still grieving the loss of three other family members who died of natural causes just since January. Two strangers and their loved ones, now bound by one horrific night.

“I’m just thankful that the Lord allowed us to have 30 years with him,” said Tate.

Police say Smith and Vaughn were shot in an argument that started inside the gas station and spilled outside. Two others were hospitalized. 

One woman underwent surgery. Family say she is a good friend of Smith. A man who is 26 is also hospitalized and expected to survive.

Police say they have a 26-year-old man in custody and are seeking others involved.