» Arrests made in shooting:
Hundreds gather to remember Justin Evans Jr. as police make arrests in 6-year-old’s death
Two people are arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 6-year-old Justin Evans, whose funeral was Tuesday.
The body of a 6-year-old boy lay in a casket Tuesday. On a wall high above him, a scripture verse read: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; Is there anything too hard for me?” Justin Evans Jr. was born Sept. 29, 2010, the son of Leesha Love and Justin Evans Sr. He grew into an athletic, competitive little boy and attended Elm Creative Arts School in Milwaukee. He learned to fish at an early age and beamed with pride when he brought home his first catch.
Justin was all set for a fishing trip with his stepfather on July 22. He ran up the stairs of his grandmother’s porch to tell his mom goodbye. Gunfire erupted. A bullet hit Justin, killing him. Hundreds of people gathered in the sanctuary of Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ Tuesday morning to remember him.
Many wore white and sky blue — the same color of the star-shaped balloons near his casket.
They sang songs, prayed and read poems. They shared memories and reflected on what could have been.
“He was a child and had his whole life in front of him, that somebody took that away,” said Ald. Milele Coggs, pausing.
“There’s a part of me that wonders, ‘Where’s the humanity?’ ” she said.
On the same day as his funeral, Milwaukee police announced they had arrested two men, ages 23 and 32, in connection with the shooting, describing both as “persons of interest.”
“We are definitely on the right track and we feel confident that we’ll be able to bring charges soon,” Police Chief Edward Flynn said Tuesday.
He declined to provide more details, citing the ongoing investigation.
Inside Holy Redeemer, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels opened his eulogy by singing “Jesus loves the little children.”
“Love is stronger than hate,” he said.
Elder Malcolm Hunt offered a reading, a prayer and a call to action.
“It’s time for us to come together,” he said. “It’s time for us to stop all of this killing.”
“Our children are dying.”
Milwaukee police are asking witnesses and anyone else with information about the shooting to call (414) 935-7360.
Editor’s note: A representative of Justin’s family gave permission for a Journal Sentinel reporter to observe the service. Cameras were not permitted inside the church.
Haley Hansen of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
“It’s time for us to come together. It’s time for us to stop all of this killing. Our children are dying.” ELDER MALCOLM HUNT