In the winter of 2016, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of 15-year-old Melanie Johnson, an African American female living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the evening of December 12th, Melanie was in the kitchen of her home near 35th Street and Silver Spring, surrounded by her mother and siblings. Laughter could be heard from within the house, a sound that would tragically precede a devastating event.
Outside, two young men, motivated by a petty grudge, were targeting Melanie's brother over a girl.
The two assailants, identified as 19-year-old Alex Dixon and Martaouse Holloway, had walked by the family's home with the intent of harming Melanie's brother. Dixon was reportedly angry that Melanie's brother was dating his ex-girlfriend. Hearing the brother's voice inside, both Dixon and Holloway pulled out guns and fired into the kitchen before fleeing. A bullet pierced through the window and struck Melanie. In the chaotic moments that followed, family members say Melanie acted heroically, shielding her 9-month-old nephew from the gunfire. Her cousin, Keyonta Davis, described the horrific scene of witnessing her get shot and trying to help her hold on. Her younger sister, Twana, recalled Melanie's last words were, "I'm trying," as her family pleaded with her to stay with them. Tragically, it was also discovered that Melanie was nine weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
Milwaukee police quickly determined the shooting was not random, though they believed Melanie was not the intended target. Their investigation led them to Dixon and Holloway. Dixon was arrested, while a search was initiated for Holloway. The family's belief that the shooting was targeted, but that Melanie was an innocent victim, was confirmed by the police investigation. The community mourned the loss of a young girl described by her older sister as a good kid who loved to read and babysit.
Justice for Melanie saw one of the perpetrators held accountable for his actions. In April 2017, a jury found Martaouse Holloway guilty of 2nd-degree reckless homicide and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was subsequently sentenced to a total of 31 years in the criminal justice system. Alex Dixon's trial was scheduled to take place in the following months. While the legal proceedings brought a measure of resolution, Melanie's aunt, Molliane Johnson, expressed that there could never be true closure because they could not get their niece back, but found some solace in knowing the man responsible was off the streets and unable to harm another family.
