Teen celebrated after friend shot 8-year-old, complaint alleges

Taalya L. Kelly jumped up and down in celebration after hearing the gunfire that left an 8-year-old girl bleeding in a house on Milwaukee’s north side, according to a criminal complaint.

The shooter was someone named “Tato” whom Kelly, 18, had summoned to shoot up the house in the 2600 block of N. 49th St. following a fight July 31, according to the complaint.

“That’s my brother! That’s my brother!” Kelly cheered after the volley of shots that left the young victim with bullet wounds to her head and right arm, according to the complaint charging Kelly with first-degree reckless injury-party to a crime-use of a dangerous weapon.

Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Robert E. Webb Jr. set bail at $1,005 for Kelly, who remained in custody Thursday in the Milwaukee County Jail, according to jail and state court records.

According to the complaint:

Kelly was among a group of females who had driven to the house of the victim, identified only as “D.J,.” to fight with D.J.’s sister.

Kelly told investigators that during an altercation with D.J.’s family members, a man struck her from behind.

Kelly’s group retreated, and began calling others to come shoot up D.J.’s house.

“Tato” circled the block several times before five shots from a 9 mm handgun sent the young girl and her family fleeing into the house, and prompting her sister to scream when she saw her wounded sibling.

If convicted, Kelly could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. The complaint does not indicate whether “Tato” was ever arrested.