Angel Olivares, 43, was fatally shot outside his south side home late Wednesday; investigators are still working the case.
MILWAUKEE — A 43-year-old father identified by family as Angel Olivares was shot and killed in his driveway on Milwaukee’s south side the night before Thanksgiving, a killing that drew relatives to the block and sent detectives searching for clues through the holiday weekend.
Police had not announced an arrest as of Monday, Dec. 1, and have not publicly identified a suspect or motive. The late-night shooting, near Winona Lane and Burnham Street, unfolded as many residents were turning in and others were preparing for the next day’s gatherings. Family members said detectives delivered the news around 2 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, splitting a holiday that would normally revolve around family time. The case remains a priority for homicide detectives, who are checking security cameras and conducting interviews to map a clear timeline.
Relatives said the shooting happened about 10 p.m. Wednesday in the driveway of Olivares’ home. His son, Jose Olivares, described his father as a calm presence who “didn’t start no problems” and stayed close with his children. Officers and evidence technicians worked the scene into the early hours, marking casings and photographing angles from the driveway toward the street. Detectives later canvassed the surrounding houses and alleys for cameras, asking residents if their systems captured motion or headlights in the minutes before and after the gunfire.
Police have released few specifics, including how many shots were fired or whether a vehicle was seen leaving the area. The Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office handled the autopsy and routine notifications while detectives compiled initial reports. Neighbors told family members they heard a burst of loud pops, then sirens. Without an arrest or suspect description, investigators often rely on video timestamps, phone records, and any prior calls for service on the block to fill out the sequence of events and determine whether an argument preceded the shooting.
Holiday weeks can complicate investigations, with people traveling, traffic patterns shifting, and more homes operating outdoor lights and cameras at different intervals. The south side neighborhood near Burnham mixes single-family houses and duplexes with narrow driveways and garages that face alleys—layouts that can either block or capture crucial footage depending on camera placement. In past cases on similar blocks, detectives have reconstructed movements by aligning clips from porches and garages, tracing a suspect’s path out to bigger corridors where city cameras sometimes provide a clearer angle.
Next steps typically include gathering and preserving private video before it automatically overwrites, re-interviewing neighbors after initial shock fades, and cross-checking any tips with known associates or vehicles. If police arrest a suspect, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office would review the case for possible homicide charges and schedule an initial appearance within two business days. As of Monday evening, police had not announced a break in the case. Family members said they plan to hold a small memorial near the driveway later this week to remember Olivares’ role in their lives.
On the block Monday, a neighbor described the street as quiet and family-oriented. “You don’t expect something like this right before a holiday,” the neighbor said. Jose Olivares said the family is staying in close contact with detectives and with each other. “We just want answers,” he said.
By Monday night, investigators had not released additional details. The next update is expected after detectives finish reviewing collected video and interviews from the Winona and Burnham area.
Author note: Last updated December 9, 2025.