Heartbreak in Milwaukee: 17-Year-Old Donnell Jones Identified as Victim in Easter Morning Double Shooting
A Community Mourns the Loss of a Young Life as Police Continue the Search for Answers
Milwaukee, WI – April 20, 2025
What should have been a morning of peace, reflection, and celebration turned into a day of tragedy for a Milwaukee family. Donnell Jones, a 17-year-old with a bright future ahead of him, was identified as the victim of a fatal double shooting that occurred in the early hours of Easter Sunday. The incident has left his family shattered and a community searching for healing.
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the shooting took place at approximately 3:00 a.m. near North 23rd Street and West Townsend Street, a residential area on the city’s north side, not far from Union Cemetery. When officers arrived at the scene, they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Donnell Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second victim — whose identity has not yet been released — was transported to a local hospital and is expected to recover.
Authorities have not yet disclosed what led to the shooting, and no arrests have been made as of Monday morning. Investigators are asking anyone with information, surveillance footage, or potential leads to come forward as they work to piece together the tragic chain of events.
Donnell’s family, still grappling with the shock of losing him, described the teen as a gentle soul, ambitious student, and devoted son, who had dreams of going to college and building a better future not only for himself but for those around him. He had a contagious smile, a passion for music, and a natural ability to uplift others. Those closest to him say he was a peacemaker in his group of friends, someone who avoided trouble and always showed love to his community.
“He wasn’t just our son — he was our light,” his mother said through tears. “We never imagined Easter Sunday would be the day we’d lose him.”
Donnell’s death marks yet another painful reminder of the gun violence plaguing Milwaukee and cities across the nation — a sobering reality that continues to rob families of their loved ones far too soon. Community members gathered near the scene Sunday night for a candlelight vigil, lighting candles and releasing balloons into the sky in his memory. Cries of grief mixed with calls for change filled the air as family, friends, and neighbors demanded justice and accountability.
“We can’t keep burying our children,” said a local pastor who spoke at the vigil. “Donnell’s life mattered. His dreams mattered. We owe it to him to find the truth and to make sure his name is never forgotten.”
Milwaukee officials and anti-violence advocates are once again urging community members to speak out, support one another, and work toward breaking the cycle of violence that has already taken too many lives.
Donnell’s loved ones have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and provide support for the grieving family. Information about memorial services will be announced in the coming days.
As Easter Sunday came and went, the Jones family was left not with celebration, but with an empty seat at the table, and a lifetime of “what could have been.” Donnell’s memory will live on through those who loved him, and through the hope that his story might inspire real change in a city that mourns far too often.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Milwaukee Police Department or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
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