In the summer of 2009, a promising young African-American man's life was cut tragically short on the streets of Milwaukee. Johntae Ramone Woodley, a 23-year-old male, was fatally shot shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2009. The incident occurred in the Riverwest neighborhood, near the corner of E. Auer Ave. and N. Humboldt Blvd. Woodley was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with plans to major in human resources that fall. His death was a significant loss to his family and the community, marking the second killing of a UWM student in that neighborhood in less than two weeks.
Family and friends remembered Woodley as a kind and ambitious individual. He was a 2004 graduate of Juneau High School and had been working at a Cousins Subs shop on the city's north side, where he had recently taken a test to become a manager. His sister described him as a caring brother who adored his nieces and nephews. Friends recalled his positive outlook and sense of humor, noting his excitement about returning to his studies at UWM. He was known as a "plain guy" who didn't seek trouble and had no known enemies, leaving his loved ones to grapple with the question of why he was targeted.
The shooting of Johntae Woodley, along with the recent slaying of another UWM student, Nathan Potter, sparked fear and frustration among Riverwest residents. In response to the unsolved homicides, about 100 people gathered for a community meeting with police to voice their concerns about crime in the area. During the meeting, police officials stated that the two killings were not believed to be related.
Despite the ongoing investigation and the community's calls for justice, no arrests have ever been made in connection with Johntae Woodley's murder. While suspects were eventually charged in the death of Nathan Potter, Woodley's case grew cold. The lack of resolution has left a lasting pain for his family and a community that mourned the loss of a young man with a bright future ahead of him. His death remains an unsolved tragedy, a stark reminder of the impact of gun violence.
