A 14-year-old Maurice K. Whiters, a freshman at Bay View High School, was tragically killed in a double shooting on May 2, 2025, near the 9000 block of N. 75th St.
The tragic incident, which occurred around 3:30 p.m., also left another teen, a 16-year-old, in critical condition.
According to Milwaukee police, officers responded to the shooting near Northridge Lakes Boulevard and 75th Street, where they found Maurice and another teen with gunshot wounds.
Despite being rushed to a hospital, Maurice succumbed to his injuries, while the 16-year-old remains in critical condition.
Maurice is survived by his biological parents, Quintrell Smith and Stanley Whiters, and his stepfather, James Larry.
He also leaves behind his three sisters, two of whose names are Ze’Anna, Larry, and Zaniyah Smith.
Maurice, the only boy in his family, was a football enthusiast. His mother, Quintrell Smith, said:
He wanted to get drafted to the NFL and then cut hair. His oldest sister is in college and she gave him clippers so he could practice cutting hair.
His unnamed eldest sister, a college student, had given him clippers to practice barbering, a skill he hoped to master alongside his athletic pursuits.
Maurice was a protector to his family, particularly his younger sister, Ze’Anna Larry, who tearfully shared,
When I go to heaven, I’ll hug him really tight and tell him I love him.
On May 3, family and friends gathered at Maurice’s home to celebrate his life.
During the gathering to honor him, things took a bad turn when gunshots were fired about 20 of them, as reported by TMJ4 News. The shots were heard near 12th and Meinecke, leading to a new police investigation into the incident.
No injuries were reported in the second incident, but the timing struck a painful chord.
“It’s disrespectful,” said Maurice’s sister, Zaniyah Smith. “We just lost my brother yesterday, and people don’t have the respect not to shoot anywhere near us.”
Maurice’s stepfather, James Larry, called for unity and action against gun violence, saying:
We need justice and change when it comes to gun violence,” he said. “We need people to look out for each other.
Stanley Whiters, Maurice’s father, is now seeking support to give his son a proper farewell.
He set up a GoFundMe campaign to help ease the financial burden, which reads:
For the homecoming celebration of Maurice K. Whiters, a 14-year-old kid that loved life, loved football, loved basketball, and he loved everybody, even his family and friends, we’re looking for some help and support.
Stanley Whiters
So far, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $1,000 USD toward its $5,000 goal, thanks to contributions from 30 donors.
Meanwhile, details surrounding his funeral remain unknown.
During this ordeal, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Maurice K Riders’s parents, sisters, and extended family.
