911 calls released from beating of West Allis woman
WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- 911 calls have now been released following the attack of a woman in West Allis on Tuesday, March 12th. An alert Marine Corps veteran with a concealed carry permit was on his way home from work late Tuesday night when he stepped in and stopped the beating.
Concealed carry has been law for just over a year in Wisconsin. On Tuesday, West Allis police released 911 tapes and police records in a case where they say a concealed carry permit was properly used to help save a woman.
Dispatcher: "West Allis 911. What is the address of your emergency?"
Charlie Blackmore: "There's a black male that just beat up a female in the street. He's walking away from me. I told him to stop."
Blackmore was on his way home from work after a 12-hour shift at 4:30 in the morning on Tuesday. That's when he saw the assault happening near 102nd and Lincoln Avenue in West Allis. He jumped out of his car and called police.
A calm and collected Blackmore kept his gun out as he set the scene for dispatchers.
Blackmore: "I have a concealed carry permit and I have my pistol on me right now. Get down. If you come at me, I will shoot you."
The man on the other end of the gun is 44-year-old Kenneth Harris. Newly-released documents say Harris met his ex-girlfriend at her apartment, knowing she was on her way to work. He punched the woman in the face, breaking a bone. Documents say Harris began repeatedly striking her until Blackmore showed up.
Blackmore: "If he comes at me, I'm going to take him down. Get down on the ground."
Dispatcher: "Do you have the gun on him?"
Blackmore: "Yes."
West Allis Police Chief Charles Padgett says in this instance, Blackmore did the right thing. Blackmore says this is the very reason he got his permit -- for protection.
The West Allis Police Department says carrying a weapon is a personal decision. The chief said Blackmore did the right thing by telling dispatchers he had a permit.
Harris is now charged with one count of substantial battery.