On July 11, 2025, 7-year-old Jamal White Jr. was abducted at gunpoint outside his home in the 6200 block of West Hustis Street on Milwaukee’s northwest side. The terrifying incident, captured on a neighbor’s Ring camera, showed a masked man forcing the boy into a white Jeep Renegade before speeding away. An Amber Alert was issued just before midnight, triggering a citywide search involving police, family, and community members. Less than 24 hours later, on July 12 at 6:36 p.m., Milwaukee Police announced that Jamal had been found safe near 39th and Lloyd, approximately six and a half miles from the abduction site.

Jamal’s father, Jamal D. White Sr., took to social media to express his anguish over the ordeal and the treatment he received during the investigation. “Y’all are foul for spreading these false narratives,” he wrote in a heartfelt post. “Even the police are treating me like I’m the bad guy. All that’s ever mattered to me is my son being okay.” White revealed he was questioned in police custody for hours on Saturday while his son was still missing, adding, “I still haven’t even seen my son face-to-face. They had me locked up all day while my child was still missing.” He emphasized his focus remains solely on his son, stating, “I don’t owe anybody anything—only my baby Jamal.”

The Milwaukee Police Department has made significant progress in the case, arresting three men at two locations tied to the abduction. On July 12, a 25-year-old man, identified as Corey Williams, was arrested at a residence in the 2000 block of North 39th Street, where Jamal was found. Williams is being held for a probation violation, though it remains unclear if this charge is directly related to the abduction. Additionally, two 27-year-old men were arrested at the home on West Hustis Street, the site of the abduction. One faces tentative charges of resisting and obstructing an officer, while the other is being held on a tentative charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Authorities have not confirmed whether these charges are directly linked to the kidnapping.

Further complicating the narrative, posts on X indicate that Jamal White Jr.’s uncle, Jamel White, the twin brother of the child’s father, was also arrested in connection to the case. However, Jamal D. White Sr. has publicly stated that neither he nor his brother had any involvement in the abduction, emphasizing their innocence and cooperation with authorities.

The abduction itself unfolded around 7:00 p.m. on July 11, when Jamal was riding his bicycle near his home. According to police and family reports, a masked man, described as a Black male wearing a black hoodie and face mask, approached the boy, brandished a handgun, and forced him into the white Jeep Renegade. The boy’s aunt, Simone White, told local media that four masked men were involved, with one pointing a gun at her brother, Jamal’s father, who was nearby at the time. “My brother wasn’t the target,” she said, suggesting the abductors specifically sought Jamal.

The community rallied swiftly, with family, friends, and neighbors organizing search efforts. By Saturday afternoon, over 75 people had gathered at Carmen Park to comb the city for signs of the boy, who was affectionately known as “Baby J” for his sweet, playful, and charismatic nature. Surveillance footage and community tips, including the viral Ring camera video, played a critical role in aiding the police investigation.

Upon his recovery, Jamal was taken to a hospital for evaluation, as confirmed by his cousin, Nikki Harrington, who expressed relief and gratitude. “We was just all together not even two hours ago, the community came through and we found him safe and sound alive,” she told WISN. The scene at 39th and Lloyd turned into a celebration, with hundreds gathering and motorcycles revving in joy as Jamal reunited with his family. A woman claiming to be Jamal’s grandmother, Cherica Morrise, shared on Facebook, “Baby J has been found and he’s okay! Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!”

As of July 14, 2025, the Milwaukee Police Department has confirmed that a 25-year-old man is in custody as the primary suspect in the abduction, with no ongoing threat to the public. Charges are being referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, though specific details about the motive or the suspects’ relationship to Jamal remain undisclosed. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to withhold further details about the circumstances of the abduction or the arrests.

The Milwaukee community has been praised for its vigilance, with residents and local leaders, including Mayor Cavalier Johnson, urging continued cooperation. “We don’t play about kids in Milwaukee,” one community member told WISN, reflecting the city’s unified response. While the safe return of Jamal White Jr. has brought relief, questions linger about the motive behind this brazen crime and the full scope of the investigation.