Earnest J. Mays Jr., a 45-year-old Black man, was shot and killed in the late afternoon of Sunday, July 21, 2024, near 40th and Chambers Street in Milwaukee. First responders found Mays with severe gunshot injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene just before 5:30 p.m.

The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating. Authorities say a 21-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the death; the person’s name has not been released and charges are pending review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. No motive or detailed account of what led to the shooting has been provided.

Mays’s family has been left to grieve while detectives continue to investigate. If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about what happened that afternoon, please come forward.