A shooting incident in Milwaukee has left a 32-year-old police officer in critical condition and a 29-year-old officer with nonfatal injuries. The officers were responding to a shots fired call in an alley located in the 2200 block of North 24th Place when a suspect opened fire on them around 9:30 p.m. on June 26. Authorities have urged the public to stay clear of the area due to safety concerns, while the search for the suspect continues.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman is currently attending a work conference, and Assistant Chief Nicole Waldner addressed the media early Friday morning, characterizing the incident as a “horrible thing” that has once again impacted the city. Both injured officers have approximately six years of service with the department and work in Police District Two.
Witness KC Tate, a local resident, reported hearing multiple gunshots followed by an unprecedented rapid police response in the area. Concerns have been raised about officer safety given that this shooting marks at least the third incident involving officers being shot in Milwaukee this year alone. Earlier this month, another officer was shot, highlighting a troubling trend for local law enforcement.
In response to staffing concerns within the police force, Waldner expressed that staffing levels alone would not have prevented the shooting, attributing the issue more so to the proliferation of guns in the community. Milwaukee’s Mayor Cavalier Johnson denounced the violence, questioning what can be done to ensure the safety of officers and the public. He also urged the shooter to turn themselves in, emphasizing that law enforcement is determined to bring them to justice.
The Milwaukee Police Association, representing the officers, has echoed concerns for their safety, with its president, Alex Ayala, pleading for a cessation of violence against police.
This incident follows a worrying pattern, as five officers have been killed in the line of duty in Milwaukee since 2018, with Officer Peter Jerving being the most recent casualty this year. The community’s and authorities’ call for a coordinated effort to address gun violence reflects a commitment to enhancing safety for both the public and law enforcement.
In the face of adversity, this situation serves as a reminder of the dangers police officers encounter daily and the collective responsibility to uphold safety in our communities.