» Girl killed:
Teen shot in home while trying to cover 9-month-old nephew
A vigil is held for 15year-old Melanie Johnson, who was killed when gunfire tore through her home on Milwaukee’s north side.
The family of 15-year-old Melanie Johnson decorated a tree outside her home on Milwaukee’s north side Tuesday, but it was not to celebrate Christmas.
It was to mourn the loss of the Marshall High School sophomore who was killed the night before when bullets tore through the home near N. 35th St. and W. Silver Spring Drive.
Her 13-yearold sister, Twana Townsend, and 9-year-old cousin, Keyshon Harris, shivered as they struggled against the bitter cold to light tea candles placed on the snowy sidewalk to spell “Mellady,” the nickname given to Melanie by her late grandmother.
But a merciless December wind continuously snuffed out the candles, the same way gunfire seems to continuously snuff out lives like those of the vibrant young girl who liked to dance, read and spoil her seven nieces and nephews.
“We thank you, Father God, for the 15 years she brightened our lives,” Melanie’s aunt Mollie Johnson said at the vigil held for her slain niece.
Milwaukee police continued Tuesday to search for suspects in the girl’s killing.
The teen was with her family about 6 p.m. Monday when gunfire erupted outside the house
and bullets pierced the wall, according to police.
“A family was living their lives inside their home when a suspect fired gunshots into the residence,” Milwaukee police Inspector Jutiki Jackson wrote in a media release.
On Tuesday, police said the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation and they continue to search for suspects.
Police have not said if investigators believe the house was targeted. No further information was released.
Melanie’s sister Kendra Haney said the teen liked to spoil her seven nieces and nephews.
“I just want everybody to remember my sister as the smart, pretty young lady she was, who did not deserve what happened to her,” said Haney, 27.
“She is going to be truly missed. This is a tough pill to swallow for all of us.”
Haney said Melanie was at the family’s home when she awoke from a nap to the sound of gunshots.
The Milwaukee Fire Department treated Melanie at the scene but was unable to save her.
Johnson said Melanie was struck when she scrambled to cover her 9month-old nephew.
“She died a heroine,” Johnson said.
The family, Haney said, doesn’t know why Melanie’s house would be targeted.
“She didn’t have any enemies. She didn’t have any drama,” Haney said.
It is the second time this year that a child has been killed after shots were fired into a home in Milwaukee.
In May, 9-year-old Za’Layia Jenkins was wounded after gunfire struck her relatives’ home in the 1500 block of W. Meinecke Ave. She was taken to a hospital and died a day before her 10th birthday.
Police recovered more than 40 shell casings at the scene of that shooting. The case remains unsolved, and a $65,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Za’Layia and Melanie are among six children age 17 or younger who were killed by gunfire in homicides this year, according to preliminary data maintained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help Melanie’s family with funeral expenses.