Everything we know about Wisconsin Cemetery Shooting
The Racine Police Department told residents to stay away from Graceland Cemetery
A shooting at a cemetery south of Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon resulted in multiple victims, police said.
Racine police said on social media that numerous shots were fired about 2:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery in Racine, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Milwaukee. Ascension All Saints Hospital, which is next to the cemetery, said it is treating an undisclosed number of victims from the shooting.
It was not immediately known if there were any fatalities, or if any suspects were in custody.
The shooting comes the day after a gunman killed his surgeon and three other people at a Tulsa medical office. It’s the latest in a series of mass shootings in United States including the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and an attack on a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine is on lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” following the shooting, the hospital said in a statement.
Area residents said they heard 20 to 30 shots, the Racine Journal Times reported.
Three young men who were playing basketball at Lockwood Park, immediately west of the cemetery, said they heard shots and the fence behind them was repeatedly hit.
Tre Brantley, one of the men, started running to his car the moment he heard shots. He and his brother, Kellyn Foster, both got into their car and ducked down, praying they wouldn’t get hurt.
“This has got to stop,” Brantley said of the gun violence.
The shooting occurred at the interment for Da’Shontay L. King Sr., who was fatally shot by Racine police May 20, King’s sister, Natasha Mullen said.
“We were at the gravesite trying to get prepared to bury him, and bullets started flying everywhere,” she told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
A Racine police officer fatally shot King, 37, during a traffic stop about two weeks ago. Police said they were carrying out a search warrant on a vehicle when King, who they said had a handgun, ran from the car. According to police, King failed to ignore commands to drop the weapon and Officer Zachary B. Brenner shot him.
The Department of Justice is investigating the shooting.
Police are asking people to avoid the area in west Racine around the cemetery.
Graceland Cemetery shooting; Racine police say 2 wounded
Racine police on Wednesday night provided an update regarding a shooting at Graceland Cemetery.
RACINE, Wis. – The Racine Police Department said there were “multiple shots fired” at Graceland Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, June 2.
Officials said two people were wounded – one of whom was flown to the hospital. The other person has been released from the hospital. No suspects are in custody.
From an obituary, FOX6 has confirmed there was a burial Wednesday afternoon for Da’Shontay King – the man who was shot and killed by police in May.
Authorities confirmed the shooting happened during the ceremony. FOX6 reached out to the funeral home, but was told they had “no comment.”
Aerial scene of Graceland Cemetery, ‘multiple shots fired’
The Racine Police Department said there were “multiple shots fired” at Graceland Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, June 2.
Police asked the public to avoid the area during the ongoing investigation. The cemetery is bordered by Osborne and Ohio to the east and west, and between Spring and Kinzie to the north and south.
One woman who lives two blocks away from the cemetery told FOX6 News that she saw cars go into the cemetery and later heard 30-40 gunshots.
Aftermath of Racine cemetery shooting (Credit: Maurice Ford via Storyful)
Video from someone at the scene showed the aftermath after “multiple shots fired” at a Racine cemetery Thursday. (Credit: Maurice Ford via Storyful)
Asceneion All Saints Hospital, located a half-mile away, said it was upping security due to “an active shooter situation.” There was no immediate threat to the hospital, and the emergent room remain open and patients kept their appointments. Normal operations resumed at 6 p.m.
Anyone who may have video of the incident, is asked ot email police at either chad.melby@cityofracine.org or justin.koepnick@cityofracine.org.
Official statements
Gov. Tony Evers:
“We’ve been monitoring the shooting earlier today in Racine and have been in contact with our local partners to offer support. As we await additional information, we are praying all involved survive and recover.
“Gun violence has to stop.”
Racine Mayor Cory Mason:
“Today’s heinous shooting at a cemetery while a family was already mourning the loss of a loved one is a new low for these perpetrators of violence in our community. The violence has got to stop! Revenge is not the answer. Ending gun violence is the top priority of the police department and my administration. I have spoken to the Governor and Attorney General to request more resources to support violence prevention. I am instructing the police department to actively enforce our juvenile curfew ordinance through the weekend. Anyone under 18 must be home by 11 PM. This violence must end. If you have any information about the horrific events of the today, I urge you to contact the Racine Police Department immediately.”