Clarissla N. Bates, 40, was shot and killed in the early hours of August 3, 2024, near 28th Street and Concordia Avenue in Milwaukee. According to her sister Piffany Bates, Clarissla had been working to address neighborhood crime, reporting illicit activity and erecting barricades to discourage loitering. Around 2:30 a.m. a confrontation with a group of women escalated; Clarissla reportedly fell over a fire pit and then a man produced a gun and fired. Piffany Bates, who witnessed the shooting, said the man fired twice, the second shot striking Clarissla in the chest.

A 23-year-old man surrendered to Milwaukee police and was arrested in connection with first-degree intentional homicide, but he was later released while the district attorney’s office reviews additional evidence before filing formal charges. The investigation remains active as family members grieve and press for answers.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about Clarissla’s activities that night, please come forward to assist the investigation.