Milwaukee, WI – A Milwaukee neighborhood is shaken and grieving after 25-year-old Nick Thacker was shot and killed in his own home during the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 23. The tragic shooting occurred near 84th Street and Herbert Avenue around 1:37 a.m., marking yet another heartbreaking act of gun violence in the city.
A Senseless Killing in the Middle of the Night
According to investigators and firsthand witness accounts, Nick Thacker was lying in bed when gunfire suddenly erupted outside. His girlfriend, Paris, who was with him at the time, told reporters that the violence followed an attempted car theft.
“Somebody tried to steal his car,” she said tearfully. “When he told them to move away, they shot. Put the guns down! Every year, it just gets worse.”
Authorities believe that Nick saw a group of individuals tampering with or attempting to break into his vehicle from the bedroom window. In an effort to protect his property, he confronted the suspects—likely shouting out at them to stop. But instead of fleeing, the thieves allegedly opened fire, spraying bullets into the home.
One of the rounds struck Nick, who was still in bed. Despite the efforts of first responders, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Family Devastated
Nick’s mother, devastated by the sudden loss of her son, spoke out in grief and anger.
“In his house, people shooting. While he was in his bed. Killed my son.”
Her words underscore the raw pain felt by many in the community—that a man trying to protect what was his ended up being murdered in the most vulnerable of places: his own bedroom.
Nick’s death marks yet another tragic case where an innocent life was taken by senseless gun violence, leaving a young family and entire neighborhood reeling.
Community Outrage and Growing Concerns
The shooting has drawn strong reactions across Milwaukee and beyond, with many residents expressing their frustration over what they describe as rising lawlessness and the lack of safety even within their own homes.
“This is unacceptable,” said a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous. “We’re not safe in our beds anymore? What kind of world are we living in where someone can be killed just for asking a thief to stop?”
The shooting occurred in a part of the city that has seen an uptick in both car thefts and gun-related incidents in recent months. Many are now demanding more visible patrols, increased lighting, neighborhood watch support, and tougher consequences for those caught with illegal firearms.
Local advocacy groups have also called for renewed investment in youth engagement, violence prevention programs, and mental health services in an effort to stop these tragedies before they start.
Remembering Nick Thacker
Friends and family described Nick as warm, hardworking, and full of life. He had a deep love for cars, music, and time with loved ones. Social media is now filled with heartfelt tributes to a young man whose life was violently and unfairly cut short.
“He had plans. He had dreams,” said a close friend. “Nick wasn’t the kind of guy to look for trouble. He just wanted to live his life, build something with Paris, maybe start a family someday.”
His girlfriend, Paris, remains visibly shaken, now grappling with the trauma of watching the person she loved lose his life in an instant.
Ongoing Investigation
The Milwaukee Police Department has launched a full investigation into the shooting. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the area and are appealing to the public for any information that may help identify the individuals responsible for this brutal act.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and police are urging anyone with knowledge of suspicious activity near 84th and Herbert around the time of the shooting to come forward.
Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or via the Milwaukee Police Department’s online reporting system.
Final Thoughts
Nick Thacker’s death is a painful reminder of how fragile safety can be in a world increasingly plagued by random and reckless violence. What should have been a quiet night at home turned into a scene of horror and tragedy.
As Milwaukee mourns another young life lost to gun violence, the community is left asking: When will it stop?
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