On the evening of September 18, 2015, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin neighborhood, claiming the life of 28-year-old Shavonta Johnson, a Black / African American male. The fatal shooting occurred shortly after 5 p.m. outside of a residence near the intersection of N. 39th and Locust streets. Johnson was struck by bullets in what authorities described as a drive-by shooting.
He was quickly transported to a local hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The preliminary investigation suggested that an unknown suspect or suspects fired upon Johnson from a vehicle. His brother, Shannon Johnson, recounted being with Shavonta on a bench in the back of their mother's home when the shots rang out, expressing his bewilderment and anger over the sudden violence. In the immediate aftermath, family and friends gathered for a vigil to honor his memory. The community, shaken by the event, came together to create a "peace garden" as a more lasting and dignified memorial than the traditional street-side shrines often seen after such tragedies.
Despite the public nature of the shooting and appeals from Johnson's family for justice, the circumstances surrounding his death remained under investigation. As of late 2015, Milwaukee police had not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the homicide. The case was still an active investigation, with authorities appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible for Shavonta Johnson's death.
