Milwaukee police 'making progress' in search for suspects in 6-year-old boy's killing

Ashley Luthern
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Flowers, stuffed animals and unlighted candles form a memorial in the 3600 block of N. 23rd St., where 6-year-old Justin Evans Jr. was shot and killed on Saturday.

Authorities continue to search for those responsible for the fatal shooting of 6-year-old Justin Evans Jr. in Milwaukee last weekend.

"Investigators have talked to multiple witnesses and are making progress," Sgt. Tim Gauerke, Milwaukee Police Department spokesman, said in an email Monday.

Justin Evans Jr., 6, was shot and killed in Milwaukee on July 22, 2017.

Justin was just about to leave on a fishing trip with his stepdad when he was shot and killed in his grandmother's yard Saturday evening. He had been running up to the house to say goodbye to his mom before when he was shot, relatives said.

Justin is the city's youngest victim to die by gunfire this year.

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His family remembered him as a caring big brother to his two younger siblings. He was looking forward to starting first grade this fall, said Dakota Jones, one of Justin's aunts, at a vigil and rally Sunday. 

"He was energetic. He was full of joy, positive energy," Jones said. "He was an innocent kid." 

The shooting occurred about 6 p.m. Saturday in the 3600 block of N. 23rd St. Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360.