Police say the 43-year-old was killed Wednesday night on the city’s south side; no arrest had been announced as of Dec. 1.
MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee father was shot and killed in his driveway on the south side the night before Thanksgiving, police said, launching an investigation that continued through the holiday weekend as relatives identified the victim as 43-year-old Angel Olivares.
Police investigators and grieving relatives spent the days after Thanksgiving trying to piece together what happened and who is responsible. The shooting, which occurred in a residential block near Winona Lane and Burnham Street, adds to a year of deadly gunfire that has strained families and detectives alike. Authorities said they were still working to determine a motive and had not announced an arrest as of Monday, Dec. 1. Loved ones described Olivares as a steady presence for his children and a man who avoided trouble, underscoring the shock of a killing that unfolded just as many families were preparing holiday meals.
Olivares was shot around 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to relatives, who said detectives came to notify family members around 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving. The driveway shooting took place outside his home on the south side, in a neighborhood of closely spaced houses and narrow alleys not far from West Burnham Street. His son, Jose Olivares, said the call in the early morning hours shattered their plans. “I couldn’t believe it. Why him? He didn’t start no problems. He was a good person,” Jose said. Police canvassed the area overnight and into Thursday, speaking with neighbors and checking for cameras on garages and porches that might show vehicles or people moving through the block before or after the gunfire.
Investigators have not publicly detailed how many shots were fired, what type of weapon was used, or whether a vehicle was involved. They also have not said whether Olivares was targeted or struck during a confrontation. Neighbors told relatives they heard several loud pops, then silence, before squad cars and an ambulance arrived. The Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office handled the autopsy and death notification, standard procedure in homicide cases. Police said the case remains open, with detectives reviewing potential video and collecting statements. The department has not released any suspect description, and there was no immediate indication of a robbery.
Milwaukee has faced repeated holiday-week violence in recent years, with detectives often racing to process scenes before winter weather erases evidence. The south side corridor near Burnham includes a mix of longtime homeowners and renters; blocks there have installed more private security cameras in recent years, giving detectives more potential angles when reconstructing events. In past cases, doorbell footage has helped investigators narrow timelines and trace vehicle paths even when eyewitness accounts conflict. Relatives of victims frequently hold small vigils after police clear a scene, leaving candles and handwritten notes. Family members said Olivares worked to support his children and kept close ties with them, spending time across the city’s north and south sides.
Detectives typically request additional witnesses to come forward and ask nearby residents to review their overnight recordings for motion alerts between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police usually release updated case summaries early in the week following a holiday as reports are compiled and tips are logged. If an arrest is made, initial court appearances are generally scheduled within 48 hours of booking, with charging decisions filed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. As of Monday evening, police had not announced an arrest or released further details about a suspect, a vehicle, or a possible dispute preceding the gunfire.
On Monday, family members described Olivares as soft-spoken and attentive. A cousin said he “kept to himself” and always checked on relatives. A neighbor who asked not to be named said the block is generally quiet on weeknights, adding that the sound of shots “didn’t make sense” given the hour. “The holiday makes it worse,” the neighbor said. “Everybody was getting food ready.” Jose Olivares said the family planned a small memorial at the home later this week, with candles and photos gathered from relatives on both sides of town.
As of Monday night, the investigation remained active with no arrest publicly announced. Police said additional updates would come as detectives verify timelines and review video collected from the block near Winona and Burnham.
Author note: Last updated December 9, 2025.