MILWAUKEE — Elijo Gonzalez, a 5-year-old Milwaukee boy, was shot and killed Tuesday night. He is one of three children to be shot in Milwaukee in three days.

Milwaukee police said Gonzalez found a gun and accidentally discharged it, unintentionally striking himself.

“We are seeing an increase in youth firearm victims and we are here to support those families in the moment to provide resources,” said Brooke Cheaton.

Cheaton is a manager at Project Ujima, one of several organizations trying to stop the cycle of violent crime.

Project Ujima, founded in 1995, is an extension of Children’s Wisconsin. It works to stop violence and crime via crisis intervention, case management, social and emotional support, mental health services and medical services.

“We work with the families while they are at the hospital and provide extended resources once they return home. We essentially serve victims from birth to death and the surviving family members,” Cheaton said.

Reach Project Ujima at (414) 266-2557.