Earnest Princeton Love Sr., a 32-year-old African-American man, was fatally shot on February 6, 2016, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What began as a Saturday evening ended in tragedy when gunfire erupted near North 52nd Street and West Glendale Avenue on the city's northwest side. At approximately 9:00 p.m., Love was struck by gunfire, suffering injuries that would ultimately claim his life.
His death became another homicide investigated by the Milwaukee Police Department during a year marked by significant gun violence throughout the city.
Milwaukee police officers and emergency personnel from the Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the shooting. Upon encountering Love, first responders immediately attempted lifesaving measures in an effort to stabilize his condition. Despite their efforts, his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting prompted a homicide investigation as detectives worked to determine what had happened and identify those responsible.
In the immediate aftermath, investigators had few publicly disclosed details about the circumstances leading to Love's death. Authorities confirmed that they were searching for suspects and attempting to establish a motive. Police did not publicly identify an alleged gunman, describe a confrontation preceding the shooting, or disclose whether Love had been specifically targeted. The available reporting also did not establish whether witnesses had provided descriptions of possible suspects or whether investigators had recovered evidence that could identify the person responsible.
Love was born on December 5, 1983, and had lived in Milwaukee. His sudden death left family members, friends, and others who knew him mourning his loss. Messages shared through his online obituary expressed condolences to his mother and children, offered prayers for his family, and remembered him as someone whose presence would be deeply missed. His funeral services were held on February 16, 2016, at Peace Lutheran Church, located at 5229 North 51st Street in Milwaukee. Following the services, he was laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery.
Although Milwaukee police initially confirmed that they were actively seeking suspects, publicly available reporting does not establish whether anyone was subsequently arrested or charged in connection with Love's killing. No reliably documented criminal trial, conviction, or sentencing directly associated with his death could be identified. The absence of publicly available updates does not necessarily mean that investigators failed to develop additional evidence or identify persons of interest, but it leaves the eventual outcome of the investigation unclear.
Love's name was later included among the homicide victims remembered in the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission's 2016 annual report. His death remained part of a devastating year in which Milwaukee recorded 139 homicides. For those closest to him, however, the tragedy was far more personal than a statistic. His life ended abruptly on a February evening, leaving loved ones with memories of the person they had lost and unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
