Person of Interest Detained Following Deadly Water Street Shooting; Milwaukee Police to Revise Nightlife Safety Protocols

Police have a person of interest in custody following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Dylan Jackson on Water Street. City leaders are now reviewing safety plans.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 6:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FOX6 News Milwaukee.

Violence Erupts During Busy Entertainment District Weekend

The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a chaotic shooting that occurred just after 1:00 AM on Sunday near the intersection of Water and Knapp Streets. The incident took place amidst large crowds in one of the city’s primary nightlife hubs, across from the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Kern Center. Family members identified the deceased victim as Dylan Jackson, who had recently celebrated his 22nd birthday and leaves behind a young daughter. Two other victims, aged 18 and 19, were also struck by gunfire but are expected to survive their injuries.

Person of Interest in Custody as Investigation Continues

By Monday evening, police confirmed that a person of interest had been detained in connection with the homicide. While formal charges have not yet been announced, investigators are reviewing social media footage that captured the chaotic moments preceding the gunfire. One widely circulated video appears to show an unrelated physical altercation involving a pistol whipping on the street, highlighting the volatile atmosphere in the district during the early morning hours. MPD is urging anyone with additional information to contact the department or remain anonymous via Crime Stoppers.

Review of "Code Red" and Downtown Safety Plans

The shooting occurred despite a "Code Red" deployment being active at the time, which traditionally increases police presence and implements street closures to manage large crowds. Alderman Bob Bauman indicated that the Milwaukee Police Department is now tasked with presenting updated safety strategies at the next Public Safety Committee meeting. Concerns from local residents and frequenters of the area suggest that while individual bars maintain strict security measures, including metal detector wands and pat downs, the unregulated public spaces between venues remain a significant safety gap.