Donell Banks, 22, a Black man, was found shot to death in Milwaukee in the early morning of November 27, 2015. Neighbors near North Sherman Boulevard and West Fiebrantz Avenue reported hearing gunfire about 3:30 a.m., and a homeowner discovered his body in a backyard around 7:00 a.m., near children’s toys. Police said Banks suffered a gunshot wound and the medical examiner scheduled an autopsy for the following day. The scene was in an alley just north of Capitol Drive that residents described as a cut-through where young men sometimes ran after shots rang out.

In the days after the killing, Milwaukee police sought suspects but initially announced no arrests. Months later, investigators linked two men arrested after a December 9, 2015 freeway shootout to firearms deputies recovered; detectives said those guns were believed to have been used in three killings within ten days that November, including Banks’ homicide. Authorities stressed the freeway suspects were not charged with the murders at that time and homicide investigations continued. If anyone knew Banks or has information about the shooting, please come forward.