Gun Homicide Tally In Wisconsin Reaches 73

Two deadly shootings in Milwaukee this past week have pushed the statewide gun homicide tally to 73 for this year.

A 31-year-old man named Michael Burr was shot to death Sunday night on Milwaukee’s south side. Burr’s father, Keith, said his son was a generous person.

“He’d give you his last dollar out of his pocket,” said Burr. “When he got new clothes, which was very seldom, he’d be very proud of himself. He didn’t have much, but he was the sweetest guy you ever met.”

Milwaukee police say the investigation into the shooting of Michael Burr is ongoing. Keith Burr suggests Michael may have hung around with the wrong people.

“These things do happen — I just never thought it would be my kid,” said Burr.

Burr said he’s troubled by the issue of gun violence.

“Especially in poor neighborhoods, it’s really rampant,” he said. “I wouldn’t live in (Milwaukee) for nothing … I live in Eau Claire, and it’s a pretty safe town.”

On Thursday, Burr joined nine other family members and friends of Michael Burr for a sidewalk vigil. Milwaukee priest Tom Mueller was also at the event. He said it’s time for political candidates this fall to speak out against gun violence.

“Guns are kind of the sacred cow of our society,” said Mueller. “It’s just timidity and fear, not constitutional principle, that prevents these people from taking some kind of a stand.”

The other fatal shooting in Milwaukee occurred Wednesday night when police say Eric Luckett, a 33-year-old black man, was shot in the street and collapsed in a nearby convenience store.