This post originally appeared at https://www.wisconsinrightnow.com/two-men-firing-guns-shot-by-milwaukee-police-during-cinco-de-mayo-celebrations/
On Friday, May 5, 2023, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Milwaukee Police officers were in the area of the 1200 block of S. Cesar Chávez Drive. Several officers were already deployed to the area due to a large crowd that was engaged in reckless behavior. Officers were trying to disperse the crowd when several individuals started firing shots in the vicinity.
An officer encountered an armed individual that was firing shots on the 1200 block of S. 15th Place. The officer gave the suspect several commands to drop the gun at which time the officer discharged his firearm subsequently striking the suspect.
The suspect, a 22-year-old Greenfield man, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries. The suspect’s handgun was recovered.
The officer involved in this incident is a 33-year-old male with over 7 years of service. He was placed on administrative duty as is routine in an officer-involved shooting.
The Milwaukee Police Department Homicide Unit will be investigating this incident because the injury to the suspect was not life-threatening.
Simultaneously, another officer encountered a separate armed suspect that was firing shots on the 1200 block of S. Cesar Chávez Drive. The officer gave the suspect several commands to stop at which time the officer discharged his firearm several times subsequently striking the suspect.
The suspect, a 17-year-old Milwaukee male, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The suspect’s handgun was recovered.
The officer involved in this incident is a 40-year-old male with over 7 years of service. He was placed on administrative duty as is routine in an officer-involved shooting.
The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team will be investigating this incident because it was initially believed the suspect’s injuries were life-threatening. We are aware the suspect is currently in stable condition. The Wauwatosa Police Department will be the lead law enforcement agency in this investigation. If anyone has any information about this incident contact the Wauwatosa Police Department at (414) 471-8430.
There were no other reported injuries. Firing celebratory gunfire for any event is unacceptable. When these incidents occurred, several firearms were discharged in the vicinity including fully automatic firearms. We are thankful that no other individuals including our officers were injured by gunfire.
Video from both incidents will be released according to the new policy.
Stephanie Soucek
Jessica McBride
The Center Square