A Milwaukee Police officer was shot in the leg and injured while attempting to chase down and arrest a homicide suspect near N. 37th St. and N. Wright St. Tuesday evening.
The incident began around 5:50 p.m. Sept. 8 when officers near North 39th Street and West Meinecke Avenue spotted a vehicle matching the description of one wanted in connection with a shots-fired incident in Glendale, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.
Officers attempted to stop the car, but the driver took off and a pursuit followed until the vehicle stopped in the 2500 block of North 37th Street. Two people jumped out of the car and took off on foot.
An officer chased one of the suspects into the 2400 block of North 37th Street, near North 38th and West Wright streets. During the chase, the officer gave the suspect several commands to get on the ground. The man disregarded them. The officer and suspect then exchanged gunfire, police said.
The 23-year-old suspect died at the scene from a gunshot injury despite lifesaving efforts by Milwaukee Police and the Milwaukee Fire Department. Police said the suspect had a firearm in his hand and another firearm was recovered from his waistband. A third firearm was recovered from the vehicle.
The second suspect is still on the loose.
The 35-year-old Milwaukee police officer who discharged his firearm has more than three years of service. He suffered a leg injury and was treated and then released from a nearby hospital. He has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
“We believe that the suspect fired his gun,” Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said during a brief news conference Tuesday evening.
The Milwaukee Police Association said the officer was shot in the line of duty and is home recovering.
“Tonight, we are grateful that our officer survived after he was shot in the line of duty tonight, and is home recovering,” Milwaukee Police Association President Alexander Ayala said in a statement.
The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating the shooting. Police have not released the names of the officer or the deceased suspect.
