The city of Milwaukee is reeling after a tragic double shooting Sunday night near North 19th Street and West Congress Street. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that one of the victims is 21-year-old Tommie Triggs, joining 56-year-old Develle “Big Dee” Gholson, who was identified earlier.
The incident unfolded at approximately 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the city’s Rufus King neighborhood as city emergency crews responded to calls of gunfire. The Milwaukee Fire Department reported that both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Gholson was found on the 1900 block of West Congress Street, while Triggs was located about a block away on the 4300 block of North 19th Place.
Tommie Triggs had grown up in Racine and was remembered by family and acquaintances as a standout athlete and dedicated young man. According to local sources, he played football at Horlick High School in Racine and had drawn interest for college programs due to his tenacity and talent. That same drive reportedly led him to join the U.S. Army, earning the respect of peers for his maturity and service. His death at just 21 has left a void in the community and in the hearts of many who saw a bright future ahead.
Meanwhile, Develle Gholson, affectionately known as “Big Dee,” was described by his relatives and neighbors as a stabilizing presence—someone who brought warmth and community to every room he entered. On the night of the shooting, he was said to be celebrating a family birthday when the violence erupted. Many in the neighborhood say his loss cuts deep because he represented the kind of person who made this part of Milwaukee feel like home.
Despite the severity of the event, motive and suspect details remain scarce. The Milwaukee Police Department has made no arrests and released limited information. Detectives are sifting through witness reports, physical evidence and surveillance but have appealed to the public for assistance. They’ve asked anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact them at (414) 935-7360 or submit tips anonymously via Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS.
In the aftermath, local residents described chilling scenes of chaos and grief. One long-time neighborhood resident, Lary Rogers, recounted hearing gunfire followed by cries of “Help me, I’m dying,” and frantic knocking on his door. His account captures the raw shock of the moment that irreversibly changed two families and a community.
As Milwaukee mourns, the twin deaths of Tommie Triggs and Develle Gholson are serving as a stark reminder of how fragile life can be. Their stories highlight the promise, service and connection they brought to their communities—and how brutally and abruptly those threads were cut. With answers still limited and investigations ongoing, those who loved them now carry the weight of remembrance and the hope that truth and justice will follow.
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