Shooting outside Wisconsin Capitol building leaves one injured; suspect still at large
MADISON - Wisconsin State Capitol and Madison police are searching for a man believed to have shot another individual only half a block from the Capitol building Tuesday afternoon.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said during a Wednesday press conference that police are currently looking for 40-year-old Lamar A. Jefferson in connection with the shooting. Jefferson does not have a current address in Madison, but is believed to have ties to Milwaukee.
Shots were fired about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, sending pedestrians running from the popular downtown street. Police arrived shortly after the shots were fired, closing the street and taking statements from witnesses. One person was taken away by ambulance from Michelangelo's Coffee House, the building outside which the shooting seemingly occurred.
The shooting occurred at the start of one of the busiest parts of the year for many businesses in the area — the holiday season.
"Holiday lights and crime scene tape are not a good match ever," Barnes said.
Madison police say one person was injured in the shooting, a 29-year-old man, who was shot multiple times. The man remains under the care of health care professionals Wednesday afternoon after undergoing surgery.
The two men knew each other, Barnes said, and though Jefferson should be considered armed and dangerous, there is no risk to the greater community.
The afternoon shooting was also linked to a soft lockdown during the UW Men's Basketball game Tuesday night at the Kohl Center. A city bus driver called police about a man acting strangely, and police asked for the lockdown so patrons at the Center knew there would be a large police presence in the area outside. The suspect was not found in the area and the lockdown was ended.
Barnes said that the incident should not deter tourists or shoppers from going to the businesses along State Street, especially because the owners depend on a busy holiday season.
"We're doing everything possible to keep Madison safe," he said.
Molly Beck of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Shooting sends pedestrians running on State Street in downtown Madison
