In what was meant to be the start of a new chapter, a young Black man's life was tragically cut short on the streets of Milwaukee. Jacob Smith, a 24-year-old male, had moved from Chicago to Milwaukee with the hope of building a better life. He had only been in the city for three days when he was shot and killed on Saturday, April 6, 2019, near the intersection of 29th and Burleigh.
The evening of the incident was shattered by the sound of gunfire, following what witnesses described as a
drunken dispute that escalated into a physical fight. Jacob's uncle was present and witnessed the horrific event as his nephew was gunned down in the street. Family and friends were left stunned and grief-stricken by the sudden and violent loss of the young father, who they never imagined they would be planning a funeral for.
In the aftermath of the shooting, police began their investigation, which quickly led to a suspect. Stacy Blunt was arrested and charged in connection with Jacob Smith's death. According to prosecutors, Blunt is accused of pointing a gun directly at Smith and firing a single shot following the altercation. When questioned by investigators, Blunt reportedly stated that he felt he was being rushed and was attempting to fire a warning shot.
The tragic irony of Jacob's death was not lost on his family, who had seen him move to Milwaukee just days earlier to escape some of the troubles he faced in Chicago. They remembered him as someone who was actively trying to put his past behind him and create a more positive future. In the wake of his murder, his family gathered for a vigil at the site of the shooting, sharing a message that violence solves nothing and that disputes should be talked out. The suspect, Stacy Blunt, was taken into custody and remained in the Milwaukee County Jail.
