18-Year-Old Elyon Benton Identified in Milwaukee Triple Shooting

An 18-year-old man, identified by loved ones as Elyon “Tank” Benton, was killed in a triple shooting on Milwaukee’s northwest side on Tuesday, prompting calls for an end to local violence.

The shooting occurred at approximately 8:02 p.m. outside the United Petro Mart near Appleton and Hampton. Two other individuals, ages 29 and 39, were also wounded in the exchange and transported to local hospitals for treatment.

For those who knew Benton, the loss is deeply personal. Leonora Lugo, who was acquainted with both the victim and his mother, remembered the recent graduate as a young man who was “always happy, always smiling.”

“All we can scream is just justice, all we can do is let the courts deal with it,” Lugo said. “We’ll be at all court dates, we’re gonna keep praying.”

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The violence has left physical scars on the neighborhood business as well. Store manager Shubh Tiwana told TMJ4 the store’s surveillance cameras captured approximately 15 shots fired during the incident. By Wednesday, evidence of the gunfire remained visible inside the store, where bullets had shattered a window and struck a television.

Tiwana described a scene of chaos that unfolded just outside his doors. While police have not yet released an official motive or identified a suspect, the store manager said that the video appeared to show an altercation preceding the gunfire. One of the wounded victims managed to retreat inside the gas station seeking safety as the situation escalated.

Tiwana, who said his family took over the business about two and a half years ago, expressed the profound impact this event has had. He said that the victims were not strangers, but rather regular patrons who frequently joked and chatted with employees.

Family, friends identify 18-year-old killed in Milwaukee triple shooting — TMJ4 News

“It’s horrifying, you know, because, like, I wouldn’t want that on anyone — like anybody’s family or nothing. Nobody deserves that,” Tiwana said. “Everybody has a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister. They don’t want to see their son not come home. Their brother — like I would be horrified if my brother didn’t come home.”

The Milwaukee Police Department is currently investigating the shooting. Forensic units were present at the scene on Wednesday, and detectives have secured the surveillance footage from the store to aid in their search for those responsible. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or utilize the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 414-224-TIPS (8477) or through the P3 Tips app.

The incident has reverberated across social media, where community activist Tracey Dent has raised concerns regarding the circulation of graphic images showing the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Dent urged the public to consider the dignity of Benton’s family before sharing such content and cautioned against the cycle of retaliation.

The call for peace was echoed by Mariunn Davis, a lifelong friend of the victim, who emphasized the shared struggles of the community.

“We gotta stop the violence for sure, we’re killing eachother, we’re all brothers, we’re all doing the same stuff,” Davis told TMJ4. “We’re all trying to get our money, all trying to live our life the same way, it’s like why are we doing this to each other when we should be helping each other build with each other.”

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the grieving families and the search for those responsible.