"Too close for comfort:" Man shot by Milwaukee police officer after driving car into officer
MILWAUKEE -- A 27-year-old man was shot by a Milwaukee police officer after he struck the officer with his vehicle near S. 6th Street and W. Howard Avenue on Saturday, October 31st.
"It does kind of freak you out, especially with it being so close to the neighborhood too," said Douglas Copher, who witnessed the incident.
On Halloween, trick-or-treaters passed by police tape and squad cars.
"I was inside getting ready for our trick-or-treating and I heard about five or six gunshots go off," said Copher.
Copher ran outside to see police just feet away.
"The officer had his gun drawn, pointed at a vehicle," said Copher.
Douglas Copher
Police say it all began with a call for robbery suspects spotted in the area shortly after 3 p.m. Investigators say two men ran, but were arrested and a gun was recovered. Police say one of those men is a convicted felon.
Moments later, another officer got out of his squad and a car soared toward him. This happened near 5th Place and W. Norwich.
"The white Chevy Malibu knocked the officer to the ground. He stood back up and fired several rounds at the vehicle, striking the driver twice," said Captain Diana Rowe with the Milwaukee Police Department.
"He was yelling at him to get out of the car and you just saw the driver's door open and you just saw him sort of roll out of the car," said Copher.
The suspect was arrested near 6th and Howard.
Officer-involved shooting scene
"It's a little too close for comfort," said Copher.
The wounded suspect was taken to the hospital where he is undergoing treatment. He is expected to survive.
The officer involved in this shooting was also taken to the hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries he sustained when he was struck.
The 45-year-old officer has 12 years of experience with the Milwaukee Police Department. As is protocol, he has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation is leading this investigation.