Family grieves loss of Milwaukee woman killed on Fourth of July

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (CBS 58) – Milwaukee police are still looking for the person who killed an 18-year-old woman Sunday night.

Police said the woman was shot dead near the 26th and Burleigh around 11:35 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed that an amber alarm, activated around 4 a.m. on Monday and later canceled for a 1-year-old child, is linked to the murder.

The suspect, Renado Hall, forcibly took the child with a gun and, according to police, escaped in an unknown direction.

The child was later found safely, but the police are still looking for Hall.

Narianna Staten’s family say they will remember their “amazing smiles and love for others”.

Rynesha Staten, her cousin, tells CBS 58 “no matter how many dark times she went through, her lights were never dimmed.”

Asha project leader Antonia Drew Vann said incidents of domestic violence like Staten’s had increased during the pandemic.

“The amount of anger and stress, the arguments, it all comes from somewhere,” said Drew Vann. “We know she tried to distance herself from him and then women are in great danger.”

Drew Vann said the victim and family members might notice different behaviors in situations like this. These must be taken seriously.

“There are a number of signs that this is happening, but often women don’t want to believe that they are going to die,” said Drew Vann.

If it was a gun, Drew Vann said the victim should find a safe place and believe any threats from the person.

“If a perpetrator has a gun and has access to a gun, the woman is 500 times more likely to die,” said Drew Vann.

Although that advice is too late to save states, Drew Vann said there are several organizations in Milwaukee that can help women right away.

“There are resources and community support that are culturally developed by and for these populations,” said Drew Vann.

The Milwaukee Police Department continues to search for a known suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or the P3 Tips app to remain anonymous.