Mom shot 8 times on south side; family suspects mistaken identity

A mother of five children was in critical condition on Saturday, after she was shot repeatedly while sitting with her family in a van on Milwaukee’s south side.

The victim, who was identified by her mother as 40-year-old Tori Jones, suffered eight gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen and elbow when an unknown assailant opened fire on her van at about 11:30 p.m. Friday near S. 18th and W. Rogers streets on Milwaukee’s south side. Family members said they believe it was a case of mistaken identity.

Jones’ mother, Diane Robertson, said her family suspects the assailant mistook one of the van’s passengers for a neighbor, leading to the gunfire. Available court records show Jones had no prior run-ins with the criminal court system.

“It had to be mistaken identity. My daughter is a homebody. She’s a housewife,” Robertson said. “She loves her kids to death. She doesn’t go partying. She doesn’t do none of that.”

Milwaukee police confirmed a 40-year-old woman suffered multiple gunshot wounds at that location Friday night. However, MPD Sgt. Timothy Gauerke said the department does not identify crime victims and that it was too soon to comment on a motive.

According to Robert- son, Jones, her husband, her adult daughter, her three minor sons and her grandson all left Robertson’s house in a van at about 11 p.m. and drove to the daughter’s home. Jones’ husband and daughter exited the van to retrieve items from the house.

That’s when the assailant approached the van and started looking through its tinted windows, Robertson said. Jones, fearful of the man, honked the van’s horn. The assailant then opened fire on the van.

“We think (the assailant) thought there was somebody in the car he was looking for. One of her kids has the same kind of haircut as another boy who lives near them,” Robertson said.

Robertson said Jones’ three sons — ages 13, 16 and 18 — and 6-year-old grandson were not hurt.

Robertson said the bullets all missed Jones’ vital organs and arteries. Seven of the eight bullets were removed, with one remaining lodged in Jones’ back, she said.

“(The doctors) said she’s doing well, but they’re not saying what the outcome will be because of the bullet that’s still left in her,” Robertson said.

A $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest has been offered by Jones’ friends and family. Police have not released a motive or details of the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.