In the tree-lined streets of Savannah’s east side, a vibrant young life was cut short in a burst of senseless violence. On the night of August 23, 2025, 16-year-old Alexis Milton Jr. became the latest victim of the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, leaving a community reeling and a family shattered.

It was just after 10:10 p.m. when the piercing sound of gunfire shattered the calm near the 4000 block of La Roche Avenue, a residential area not far from the Ponderosa Apartments. Savannah Police Department (SPD) officers rushed to the scene, their sirens cutting through the night, only to discover a heartbreaking sight: young Alexis lying on the ground, his body riddled with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the desperate efforts of first responders to save him, the teenager’s injuries were too severe. The Chatham County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Alexis Milton Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene, shot at least once, with an autopsy scheduled to uncover further details.

The loss of Alexis marks yet another grim chapter in Savannah’s battle against a rising tide of violent crime. According to recent reports, the city has recorded 20 homicides in 2025 alone, a stark reminder of the challenges facing this historic coastal community. Just hours before Alexis’s death, another shooting on Wheaton Street left two people wounded, underscoring the relentless pace of gun-related incidents. The tragedy on La Roche Avenue also follows closely on the heels of another fatal shooting just two days prior, when a 17-year-old was killed near the Savannah Gardens community, casting a shadow over the Skidaway Road corridor.

As police combed the scene for evidence, a heavy presence was noted at the Ponderosa Apartments, where the community gathered, grappling with shock and grief. Detectives worked tirelessly through the night, but no suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made. The investigation remains active, with authorities piecing together the events that led to this devastating loss. The lack of immediate answers only deepens the pain for those who knew Alexis, a young man whose life was just beginning.

Savannah Police are now turning to the public for help, urging anyone with information to come forward. They’ve provided multiple avenues for tips, including a call to Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020 or the option to submit anonymous information through the SPD mobile app. Community leaders, too, are sounding the alarm, calling for increased resources to address youth crime and bolster prevention programs in a city where the sound of gunfire has become all too familiar.

The death of Alexis Milton Jr. is not just a statistic—it’s a stark reminder of the human toll of violence. Behind the headlines lies a family mourning a son, a friend, a future that will never be realized. As Savannah grapples with this latest tragedy, the question lingers: how many more young lives must be lost before change takes hold? For now, the community holds its breath, hoping for justice and a path toward healing.