MILWAUKEE, WI – A devastating act of gun violence has taken the life of 16-year-old Marrion T. Johnson, a Milwaukee teenager, in a triple shooting incident on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Johnson as the victim found deceased in the basement of a residence near North Long Island Drive and West Custer Avenue at approximately 10:41 p.m.
The shooting also left two other teenagers, ages 16 and 17, wounded. Both survived and were transported to local hospitals, though their current conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
Milwaukee police have arrested two 16-year-old male suspects in connection with the shooting. Authorities have indicated that charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for further review. The investigation remains ongoing, with police yet to release details regarding the motive or the relationships between the victims and suspects.
Marrion’s family has not yet made a public statement, but loved ones have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of the young teen. A balloon release ceremony is planned for Wednesday, July 31, 2025, to honor Marrion’s memory and provide a space for the community to grieve together.
This tragedy marks at least the 10th homicide of a person under 18 in Milwaukee this year, according to the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission. The incident follows closely on the heels of another heartbreaking loss—a 13-year-old boy killed in an accidental shooting on July 16, 2025—highlighting an alarming pattern of youth violence in the city.
Community leaders and advocates are sounding the alarm, urging for comprehensive measures to address the crisis. Calls for enhanced violence prevention programs, youth engagement initiatives, and improved access to mental health resources have grown louder in the wake of Marrion’s death.
As the investigation continues, Milwaukee police are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the Milwaukee Police Department at (414) 935-7360 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or via the P3 Tips app. Community cooperation is essential to seeking justice for Marrion and working toward a safer future for Milwaukee’s youth.