BELOIT, Wis. — A 19-year-old man was shot and killed in the Beloit Memorial High School parking lot after a basketball game Saturday night.
At 8:55 p.m., a school resource officer working at the game was notified of shots fired in the parking lot and called for additional officers, reports WIFR. Police said when they arrived, it was apparent that a shooting had occurred but the victim was not on the scene.
The victim, identified by family as Jion Broomfield, was dropped off at the Beloit Memorial Hospital emergency room where he later died of his injuries. Broomfield was a former student at Beloit.
The family, who spoke to WTVO, said Jion’s cousin, 17-year-old Byron Broomfield, was shot and killed just two months ago.
“We have not gotten over the first one and here we are again, with the nonsense violence in a public place,” said Birdia McAlister, the victims’ aunt. “Because two young men have lost their lives, they didn’t have the opportunity to fulfill everything that they were destined to do.”
Beloit Police Chief Andre Sayles said no other active students were involved in the incident but no suspects have been named. While the incident was isolated, Sayles said there is a threat to the community since there are no suspects in custody.
After looking at surveillance video, Sayles said it was determined at least 30 people were near the scene of the shooting when it occurred. He is urging anyone who may have information to call 608-364-6823. Tips can be anonymous.
“If that was your loved one, you would want somebody to come out and talk to you,” he said. “It is absolutely ridiculous that we have 30 to 40 people who witnessed a young man lose his life and refuse to talk to us.”
Sayles also said the department will increase police presence at Beloit schools and add more traffic stops around the town.
The district’s student services team will be on campus Monday to support students and staff, said Beloit Superintendent Dr. Dan Keyser.
Saturday’s shooting is Beloit’s third murder of 2022 — all of which happened within 81 hours of each other, according to WREX.
“The culture of ‘no snitching’ needs to stop,” said Sayles. “We need to come together and unify as a community to stop the senseless acts of violence.”
