Milwaukee, Wisconsin — A 4-year-old girl died after her 6-year-old brother allegedly gained access to a firearm and accidentally shot her Saturday morning, according to authorities. The incident has prompted a police investigation into how the children accessed the weapon and how it was stored.
The girl, identified by her family as Jurnee Scales Walker, was reportedly playing with her older brother at a home in Milwaukee when the shooting occurred at around 9 a.m. The gun was reportedly associated with their 16-year-old sibling.
Emergency services responded to the 2700 block of North 53rd Street, where Jurnee was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
The fatal shooting has left the family and neighborhood grieving as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
What Happened in the Milwaukee Shooting?
According to reports citing Milwaukee police, the 6-year-old boy gained access to a firearm while playing with his younger sister. The child then fired the weapon, striking Jurnee.
Authorities have not publicly detailed every moment leading up to the shooting or explained precisely how the gun became accessible to the children.
Emergency responders rushed to the residence after the incident was reported. Despite their response, Jurnee did not survive.
The circumstances have raised concerns about firearm access in homes where young children are present, particularly when weapons belong to older family members.
Neighbor Describes Emotional Scene After Shooting
The tragedy also affected people living near the home. Neighbor Rodney Mckinney, who witnessed the aftermath, described the day as deeply sad while speaking to a local news outlet.
“The one officer came out, and he was crying, and that’s when I knew something was sad,” Mckinney said.
His account offered a glimpse of the emotional impact the incident had on those responding to the scene. Authorities have not released further details about the emergency response beyond the information provided in initial reports.
Teen Sibling Taken Into Custody
A 16-year-old sibling of Jurnee was taken into custody following the shooting and charged with possession of a firearm, according to the reports.
The teenager was charged in Milwaukee’s juvenile court system on Monday. Investigators are examining how the teen acquired the gun and the circumstances surrounding its presence in the home.
Officials have not publicly explained how the firearm was obtained or whether additional charges could follow.
The investigation remains focused on establishing how the weapon was accessed and determining the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
Family Remembers Jurnee as a Sweet Little Girl
Jurnee’s death has devastated relatives who described her as a much-loved child. Her cousin, Amya Burton-Lewis, spoke about the young girl and the pain of having her name become known because of such a tragedy.
“I hate that this is how everybody has to know Jurnee,” Burton-Lewis said.
She also described Jurnee as “sweet” and said there was “nobody like” the four-year-old. According to Burton-Lewis, the children had reportedly been playing cops and robbers when they gained access to the firearm.
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She also said the gun had been securely stored before the shooting and that she did not know how the child managed to reach it. Authorities have not publicly confirmed all the details surrounding the firearm’s storage or how it became accessible.
Police Urge Gun Owners to Secure Firearms
Following the shooting, local police urged gun owners to be especially careful when storing firearms and to keep weapons out of children’s reach.
The incident highlights the dangers that can arise when young children encounter a firearm without adult supervision. Even a momentary lapse in access control can have irreversible consequences.
Firearm safety guidance generally emphasizes keeping guns locked in secure storage and ensuring that children cannot access keys, combinations or other means of opening storage devices. Ammunition should also be secured separately.
For families with children of different ages, the case underscores the importance of checking that every firearm remains inaccessible to younger household members and visitors.
Investigation Continues After Fatal Shooting
Jurnee’s death has left a family mourning the loss of a young child while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The questions surrounding the gun’s ownership, acquisition and accessibility remain central to the case. Authorities have not released a complete account of how the incident unfolded or indicated when further investigative findings may become available.
As the investigation continues, police are urging firearm owners to take precautions that prevent children from gaining access to weapons.
What steps do you believe families should take to prevent children from accessing firearms at home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
