Devastated but determined, friends and family search for missing 7-year-old Jamal White

Yahoo

12-07-2025

Raven Jackson last saw her little cousin Jamal White a few weeks ago at a gathering of their large, tight-knit family.
White, who goes by Baby J, is sweet, playful and charismatic, Jackson described. The 7-year-old loves cars, cartoons and music — and "just enjoys being him."
On July 11, White was abducted from Milwaukee's northwest side. Police say he was taken at gunpoint from outside his residence, in the area of 6200 W. Hustis St., into a white Jeep Renegade by an unknown man in a black face mask.
Jackson showed up to Carmen Park July 12 with a group of about 75 friends, family and community members who set out to comb the city for signs of White. Family had been searching on the night of July 11, when an Amber Alert was issued, until the early morning hours, Jackson said, and will continue until they have answers. There is a $50,000 reward for his location.
More: Amber Alert issued for 7-year-old Jamal White, abducted in Milwaukee
"You wouldn't think someone would do anything to a child," said another cousin, Nikki Harrington. "I just want Baby J to come home."
Family who organized the July 12 search passed out flyers with photos of White's face and the vehicle police say he was placed into. They asked those gathered to spare no detail in their search — to check businesses, gas stations and wooded areas, to go door to door and ask people to search their homes and cars. The crowd split up into four groups, assigned to White's neighborhood and other areas where they say a similar vehicle has been reported.
Some expressed frustration about the time it took for an Amber Alert to be issued and for word to spread about what happened. But above all, they asked the community to keep searching, to elevate the news of White's disappearance and report any tips to the police.
Those gathered were well aware of the violent way White was taken and what dangers there could still be as the search unfolds.
"I'm scared," said Lorien Carter, who spoke to the group before they split up. "But I'm more scared that my children can't ride their bikes" without being at risk, she said. Video footage from a neighbor's doorbell camera appears to show White riding his bike in front of his residence prior to being taken.
Carter, who identified herself as the aunt of Tony Robinson, an unarmed 19-year-old shot and killed by Madison police in 2015, said it's "not our first rodeo" when it comes to looking for missing children. She said she has young children the same age as White. It strengthened her resolve to do something.
"We're going to find him one way or another," she said.
Milwaukee resident Nathan Butler didn't know White, like many others at the park , but showed up to help. He took flyers and was planning to go with a group to areas the boy might have been. He asked the community to be alert, and "if you see something, say something."
Police describe White as Black, 4 feet tall and roughly 80 pounds. He has short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts.
Police describe the suspect as Black, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black face mask.
Anyone coming in contact or with information regarding Jamal should call Police District 4 at 414-935-7242 or 911.
Madeline Heim is a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee residents help search for missing 7-year-old Jamal White