By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published May 14, 2022 at 3:49 PM Photography: Dan Garcia

The Milwaukee Bucks announced today that the Deer District watch party planned for Game 7 on Sunday afternoon has been canceled.

The news comes in the aftermath of three shootings near the end of the Bucks game on Friday night around the vicinity of Deer District – including one at the corner of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Highland Avenue that injured three people and sent many fans in and around the Bucks game running for safety. The two other shootings took place later Friday night near Water Street, one of which injured 17 people. As of writing, all are expected to survive, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.

"The shootings that happened in Downtown Milwaukee last night were horrific, and we condemn this devastating violence," says a release from the Milwaukee Bucks. "We are grateful to local law enforcement for its valiant efforts to try to contain what was a dangerous and fluid situation. While these incidents took place outside of Deer District property, it clearly resonated with fans coming out of the arena and leaving the plaza. Security, health and welfare are always our top priorities for our guests and employees, and we appreciate the hard work of our security team to keep our fans safe."

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson also announced Saturday afternoon that, in response to Friday night's shootings, a temporary curfew will be put into effect for both Saturday and Sunday night from 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., not allowing those under 21 years old to loiter in the area ranging between Vel R. Phillips Avenue to Broadway Street as well as State Street to Knapp/McKinley Streets. Those caught violating the curfew will be fined $691.

While the outdoor watch party in the main plaza area is canceled on Sunday afternoon, the Bucks' statement notes that all businesses in Deer District are expected to still be open as usual. 

For more updates, stay tuned to OnMilwaukee.

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.