Family Identifies 14-Year-Old Killed in Double Shooting as Bay View High School Student Maurice Whiters
MILWAUKEE, WI — A community is in mourning after a tragic double shooting on May 2 claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy and left another teenager fighting for his life. Family members have identified the young victim as Maurice Whiters, a freshman student-athlete at Bay View High School who was known for his passion for both basketball and football.
The shooting occurred near 76th Street and Brown Deer Road on Milwaukee’s northwest side, shortly after 8:00 p.m. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire and discovered two teenage victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Maurice was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, a 16-year-old male, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
As of Saturday, WISN 12 News has reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) for an update on the 16-year-old’s condition and whether any arrests have been made, but no response has been issued.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Maurice Whiters was described by family, friends, and coaches as a bright young man with a magnetic personality and natural athletic talent. As a freshman at Bay View High School, he had already earned a spot on both the basketball and football teams, making an impression with his energy, work ethic, and drive.
“Maurice was more than just a student-athlete. He was the kind of kid who lit up every room he walked into,” said one of his coaches. “He was eager to learn, quick to smile, and had dreams bigger than this city.”
Loved ones gathered at the scene of the shooting and later at a growing memorial outside Bay View High School to pay tribute to Maurice. Balloons, photos, and handwritten notes painted a picture of a young life full of promise, stolen far too soon.
A City Searching for Answers
Milwaukee Police have not released specific details about what led to the shooting or whether the two teens were targeted. No suspects have been publicly named, and it is unclear if any arrests have been made as of yet.
The lack of immediate answers has left family members and community members frustrated and fearful. Many are calling for greater accountability and more urgent efforts to address the city’s ongoing crisis of youth gun violence.
“This is becoming far too common,” said a local resident at a community vigil. “Fourteen-year-olds should be playing ball, not dying in the streets. We need to do better — for Maurice and for every child out here just trying to live.”
Calls for Peace and Justice
In response to the tragedy, school officials at Bay View High School offered grief counseling and support services to students and staff. The school released a statement expressing their heartbreak over Maurice’s death and emphasizing their commitment to helping students cope with the trauma.
Local leaders and youth advocates have also renewed calls for investments in community safety programs, youth mentorship, and conflict resolution initiatives aimed at reducing violence among Milwaukee’s young population.
“We cannot become numb to this,” said a representative from a Milwaukee youth outreach organization. “Maurice should still be here. His dreams, his future — they mattered. And so do the lives of every young person trying to survive in neighborhoods where violence feels inevitable.”
Investigation Ongoing
As of now, MPD continues to investigate the shooting and is urging anyone with information to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS (8477).
The family of Maurice Whiters is also asking for privacy as they grieve and prepare to lay their beloved son to rest. A memorial service will be announced in the coming days, and a GoFundMe has been launched to support funeral expenses.
Maurice’s death is yet another heartbreaking reminder of the toll gun violence is taking on Milwaukee’s youth — and a call to action that many hope the city will no longer ignore.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.