Two Milwaukee police officers were shot on the evening of June 26, police confirmed. One officer remains in critical condition and the second does not have life-threatening wounds, police said in an early morning news conference.
“Enough is enough. Stop trying to kill my police officers. The violence against our police officers is out of hand,” Milwaukee Police Association President Alex Ayala said in a news conference. He addressed the at-large suspect, calling him a “coward,” and saying that officers would find him, adding, “We’re going to hunt you down. We’re coming to get you. Justice is coming for you.”
“We have reached a breaking point. Violence in our city is out of control, and those who protect our neighborhoods are increasingly in the crosshairs,” the MPA said in a statement shortly after the shootings.
Milwaukee police Asst. Chief Nicole Waldner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau said in the media briefing that, at 9:10 p.m on June 26, the two officers were sent to a subject with weapons call. While they were en route, the call was upgraded to a shots fired call, she said.
The officers were “unexpectedly fired upon in the alley,” she said. The officers were “both struck and not able to return fire.”
Both have over six years on job. The first officer, a 29 year old, has non life threatening wounds, she said. The second officer, a 32 year old, remains in critical condition. “We are seeking a known suspect. It’s active and ongoing,” she said.
“We should be praying for our police officers,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in the news conference. “It’s a sad day. It’s a very sad day. No officer, no person in law enforcement, should never be fired upon.” He said the suspect was still at large.
A reporter asked Waldner about the short staffing levels at the force, which the union and officers have repeatedly raised recent concerns about. She said, “I don’t think that would have prevented anything today. Because what the problem is today and every time actually when we have you all in front of us, The problem is too many people have guns, so I could put an officer on every single corner and it doesn’t eliminate the number of guns in the hands of people that shouldn’t have them all over the city.”
She added that some people have “complete disregard for anybody but themselves. No matter where the officers are or how many there are, there are just as many guns. We have to focus that is the problem.” She said police need police to call them so they can “put a stop at it.
“I know the mayor is trying. We are recruiting heavily. But I guarantee you that within a block there are more guns than there are officers on this scene.”
She said the officers, who are assigned to District 2, were approaching the suspect by foot.
Waldner would not release the suspect’s name.
The two Milwaukee police officers were shot near N. 25th St. and Garfield Ave., according to multiple law enforcement sources.
“It is with profound sorrow and outrage that we confirm that two Milwaukee police officers were tragically shot and critically injured in the line of duty tonight. Our thoughts are with these officers, their families, friends, and colleagues. These officers face unimaginable suffering and they have long roads ahead of them,” the Milwaukee Police Association says.
“This senseless act of violence has struck the very heart of our department and our community. We have reached a breaking point. Violence in our city is out of control, and those who protect our neighborhoods are increasingly in the crosshairs,” it says.
“We have had 5 officers killed in the line of duty over the past 7 years and dozens of our officers have been shot and shot at while trying to serve our neighborhoods. Our officers wear the badge with pride and honor, but our officers need more leadership from the city to bring an end to this violence. We are grateful to all of the first responders, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who have cared for our officers tonight. We will continue to pray for the recovery our officers and ask the community for their prayers.”
DA Kent Lovern said the person “who is responsible for this will be held accountable.”
Before that statement, there was conflicting information about their conditions. Early on, multiple law enforcement sources said one officer had died. WTMJ-TV reported that an officer was killed but then updated its story to say he regained a pulse and was being operated on. We are told there is a valiant effort to save the officer’s life. The second officer’s current condition is unclear. MPD told FOX 6 that the officers were taken to the hospital.
Police officers on motorcycles were outside the hospital waiting for news of the officers’ conditions.
We are withholding the officers’ names.
As the situation is developing, there are no further details. However, Mayor Cavalier Johnson did confirm to WISN-TV that two officers were shot. That station also reported that there was a large crime scene at that location.
This story will be updated as developments unfolded.
