In the early hours of a quiet Sunday morning, tragedy struck a Milwaukee family, leaving a community in mourning and a mother’s four children without her embrace. Brenisha Butcher, a 33-year-old woman known for her warmth and dedication as a parent, was fatally shot outside a bar on the city’s northwest side, near the intersection of 107th Street and Granville Road, just south of Brown Deer Road. The incident, which unfolded around 1:40 a.m. on March 16, 2025, also left her younger sister, Brittney, wounded, clinging to life in a hospital bed. As the sun rose over Milwaukee that day, the devastating loss reverberated through the lives of those who knew Brenisha, a woman described by loved ones as a vibrant soul who lived for her family.
The alleged shooter, 49-year-old April Miller, now faces serious charges that reflect the gravity of the violence that erupted in those early morning hours. Miller has been accused of first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree reckless injury, crimes that carry the weight of a shattered family and a community demanding answers. She appeared in court for the first time on Thursday, March 20, where a judge set her bond at $300,000, signaling the severity of the case as it begins its journey through the legal system. For the Butcher family, however, no courtroom proceeding can undo the pain of losing Brenisha, a woman who was more than just a name on a docket—she was a mother, a sister, and a pillar of strength.
According to Milwaukee police, the shooting occurred in the aftermath of a chaotic scene outside Bar 107 Sports Bar and Grill, a location that has faced scrutiny in the past for incidents tied to its premises. Investigators found a white Volkswagen crashed into a parked vehicle across the street from the bar, its airbags deployed in a haunting testament to the violence that had just unfolded. Inside the driver’s seat, Brenisha was discovered lifeless, her life cut short by gunfire. Brittney, 30, told authorities that the shots came from another vehicle, a detail that paints a picture of a sudden and merciless attack. The sisters had been together that night, perhaps seeking a moment of respite or connection, only to find themselves caught in a nightmare.
Brenisha’s death has left an indelible mark on her family, particularly her four children, who range in age from 2 to 17. She was a woman who poured her heart into raising them, recently embarking on a new chapter by starting her own daycare business—a dream that reflected her love for nurturing others. Her cousin, speaking through tears to local reporters, described her as “full of life” and “a sweet, kind girl just doing good for herself.” The senselessness of the shooting weighs heavily on those who knew her best, with family members struggling to comprehend why someone would target the sisters as they attempted to leave the bar and head home.
Details of the events leading up to the shooting remain under investigation, but authorities have suggested that the incident may have stemmed from a misunderstanding or altercation inside the bar. Security had reportedly cleared the establishment after a fight broke out, sending patrons spilling into the parking lot and surrounding streets. Somewhere in that chaos, prosecutors allege, April Miller opened fire, mistakenly believing the Butcher sisters were involved in the earlier dispute. The tragedy has reignited calls from local leaders, including Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, for a review of Bar 107’s tavern license, which has been suspended in the past following similar incidents.
For Milwaukee, this shooting is more than just another statistic in a city all too familiar with gun violence. It’s a story of a mother torn from her children, a sister fighting to recover, and a family left grappling with grief and unanswered questions. As the case against April Miller moves forward, the community watches closely, hoping for justice that might bring some measure of peace to those who loved Brenisha Butcher. In the meantime, her children face a future without her guiding light, a loss that no amount of time or legal resolution can fully mend.