Milwaukee Police Chief reacts to 3 officers shot: 'These behaviors are unacceptable."

David Clarey, Jessica Van Egeren and Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read
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Three Milwaukee police officers are recovering from injuries Thursday after seeking out a suspect wanted for felony possession of a firearm, sexual assault and other crimes, according to Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.

When asked by reporters if all the officers were shot, Norman said he did not know the extent of the injuries, adding he visited one who was in "relatively good spirits," and planned to visit the others.

The 35-year-old suspect is being treated at a local hospital.

"These behaviors are unacceptable. Firearms used in this way is unacceptable," Norman said.

According to Norman, four officers were on the 5300 block of North 91st Street around 10:15 a.m. seeking a subject wanted for a felony possession of firearm, domestic violence-related false imprisonment and sexual assault. Then at approximately at 11:38 a.m., the suspect "fired shots at our officers," Norman said.

Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. After the gunfire ceased, the officers, who are part of a special investigations division, continued communication with the suspect.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he wanted to send "a message" to those who commit crimes, saying they would be caught and face consequences.

He framed the shooting as an attack on the community.

"What happened here was a travesty and it should not have happened. Even though the officers were injured here, this wasn't just an attack on them. This was an attack on the entire Milwaukee Police Department," he said. "This was an attack on the entire city of Milwaukee. This was an attack on everybody in this community that wants to have safety in our community."

Norman said the special investigations division officers have an “expectation of dialogue ... to convince those who are wanted to surrender peacefully.”

In this case, de-escalation attempts were met with shots fired by the suspect, Norman said.

The suspect surrendered two firearms with extended magazines and was subsequently arrested, Norman said.

Charges have been referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, he said.

The three injured officers include a 43-year-old man with over 19 years of service, a 49-year-old man with over 19 years of service, and a 44-year-old man with over 21 years of service.

Norman said four officers discharged their duty weapons during the incident. The four will be placed on administrative duty, which is routine following an officer-involved shootings.

The department's homicide unit will investigate the incident. Norman said the investigation is "fluid and ongoing."

A large police presence is seen Thursday near North 91 Street and West Appleton Avenue.
A large police presence is seen Thursday near North 91 Street and West Appleton Avenue.

Johnson gave a strong plea for something to be done about gun violence during the press conference when responding to a question on the community impact.

He said "nothing" has been done to try and stem gun violence in Wisconsin and in other states. Children or others in the area could've been injured in this incident. Johnson said possible solutions were universal background checks and increased penalties for those who stole guns for use in crime and gun owners who don't handle them responsibly.

"Try something. We are doing nothing. We don't control that, we just deal with the consequences. Do something. Show that you care about these kids who are sitting over here," Johnson said.

Norman said Thursday's shooting came as there's been other national incidents where officers have been shot. He noted an officer dying after being shot in Dallas and another officer shooting in Phoenix.

"We as a community need to surround our law enforcement but also those doing right in the community and disown and have a very serious message for those who use firearms in this inappropriate way," Norman said.

Michael Perez works down the street from the apartment building where the incident happened and was in a nearby parking lot with a coworker when it occurred.

He said he heard breaking glass and saw police, wielding guns and shields, attempting to enter an apartment’s living room and later a bedroom.

At that time, he heard a gunshot. Later, he saw them bring a ladder to the building and more gunshots rang out.

Perez attempted to record footage of the incident, but said he ducked down to avoid danger.“My first initial (reaction) was to duck and hit the floor,” he said. “I don’t know how many people got injured we just pray for them.”

Michael Perez talks with reporters Thursday following an incident in which three Milwaukee police officers and the suspect were shot. Perez works down the street from the apartment building where the incident happened and was in a nearby parking lot with a coworker.
Michael Perez talks with reporters Thursday following an incident in which three Milwaukee police officers and the suspect were shot. Perez works down the street from the apartment building where the incident happened and was in a nearby parking lot with a coworker.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police chief confirms 3 officers, suspect shot.