Shakwanda Harris Obituary, Death – Fifth victim in Mother’s Day apartment fire ID’d as Milwaukee mom of five The fifth person who tragically lost their life in a devastating apartment fire on Mother’s Day in Milwaukee has been identified as 32-year-old Shakwanda Harris, a mother of five. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her identity earlier this week.
The fire broke out early Sunday morning in a large 85-unit apartment complex located near 27th Street and Highland Boulevard. When firefighters arrived, they were met with thick smoke and intense flames engulfing parts of the building. Crews immediately sprang into action, performing multiple rescues. Firefighters used ladders to reach residents who were trapped on upper floors, and navigated smoke-filled corridors to help others escape the blaze.
The fire claimed five lives in total. The victims were:
- Shakwanda Harris, 32
- Torrell Coleman, 40
- Verna Richards, 62
- Mark Chaffin, 76
- Maureen Green, 67
As of Tuesday, six people remained hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the fire. One of those individuals was reported to be in critical condition.
On Tuesday, after hearing the heartbreaking confirmation that Harris was among the victims, her family visited the burned apartment building. They brought balloons and stood outside to mourn and honor her memory.
“We’re just broken in pieces,” said Nikeya Harris, one of Shakwanda’s sisters. The family had been waiting anxiously for confirmation, as Shakwanda’s body was the only one that was initially unidentifiable. “Everybody else found out about their loved ones. We had to wait this long,” said another sister, Jessica Harris.
The loss is especially painful given that Shakwanda would have celebrated her 33rd birthday at the end of May. Her family described her as a bright, loving person whose smile could light up any room. Most importantly, they said, she was a devoted mother to her five children, whose ages range from one to twelve years old.
With the children now left without their mother, her sisters say they are stepping up to fill the role. “We gotta step up and be mama,” Jessica Harris said. “Exactly. We look like mama, so now we is mama,” added Nikeya, showing the family’s resolve to care for the children as their own.
Adding to the tragedy is the fact that Shakwanda didn’t even live in the apartment building where the fire occurred. Her family said she was only visiting at the time of the fire, which makes the circumstances surrounding her death even more difficult to accept. As of now, investigators have not announced the cause of the fire, leaving the family and others with unanswered questions.
“We just want answers and closure, that’s all,” Nikeya Harris said.
The grief extends beyond Harris’s family. On Tuesday, community members, including other tenants from the building, came by the site to pay their respects. Ira Jefferson, a resident of the apartment complex, joined others in expressing support for all of the families affected. “For the ones that’s already gone, we’re praying with their families,” he said. “For the ones that are fighting for their lives…get together and hold hands. Pray for them.”
As of Tuesday night, the building remained boarded up and is expected to stay that way for some time. City officials stated that it would be at least a week before residents would be allowed to reenter the complex to retrieve their belongings.
While the building sits empty, some residents have raised concerns about security. They worry their personal items could be stolen or damaged. In response, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski assured the public that the building is secure and that steps have been taken to protect tenants’ property.
The fire has left many families grieving and displaced, and a community in mourning. As investigators continue working to determine the cause of the blaze, families like the Harrises are left piecing together their lives after unimaginable loss. While the road ahead will be difficult, the strength and unity shown by Shakwanda Harris’s family and the surrounding community are a testament to resilience in the face of tragedy.
The Milwaukee community now waits for more answers, hoping that the ongoing investigation will provide the closure that so many are desperately seeking. In the meantime, they continue to come together to support one another, honor the memories of those who were lost, and provide strength to the survivors recovering from this devastating fire.