Two men charged in connection with Milwaukee officer's shooting
MILWAUKEE -- Two men have been federally charged in connection with the shooting of a Milwaukee police officer. Officer Brandon Baranowski is recovering at home after being shot five times on Sunday, July 17th. Prosecutors say the two men now indicted helped buy the gun that was used by the shooter.
Officer Brandon Baranowski released from the hospital
Police say 24-year-old Emanuel Romo of West Allis has been federally charged with false statements to a licensed firearms dealer during acquisition of a firearm, providing a firearm to a person who is under indictment for a felony, and unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.
Police say 22-year-old Alonso Sandoval of Milwaukee has been federally charged with aiding and abetting Romo’s false statements during the acquisition of a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm.
Baranowski was shot while investigating a call on the city’s south side early Sunday, July 17th. Police identified the shooter as 20-year-old Tomas Uriegas.
As officers were on scene investigating regarding the injured officer, they heard a single gun shot around 2:30 a.m. nearby. They then found Uriegas, who had suffered an apparent self-inflicted fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Tomas Uriegas
Uriegas was out on bond for a felony charge, and was using a gun he was not allowed to legally possess.
The federal indictment filed against Romo and Sandoval says the firearm, a Ruger model SR 22, .22 caliber pistol, was acquired in January of 2014 at The Shooter's Shop in West Allis.
The indictment accuses Romo of stating on forms that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, when instead, Romo was acquiring the firearm for Sandoval.
According to police, Romo told authorities the gun was for Sandoval, who was with him and could not buy a gun for himself due to drug charges.
Sandoval told authorities he later sold the weapon to a man he worked with -- someone he thought was a gang member.
It's unclear how the weapon eventually made its way into the hands of Uriegas, but police are hoping to send a message: If you illegally sell a gun, you are responsible for what happens with it.
Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn released the following statement:
"The excellent work of the MPD Intelligence Fusion Center along with the ATF Task Force in tracing this crime gun, will allow us to hold accountable the individuals indirectly responsible for wounding our officer. My hope is that serious federal charges will result in actual justice and deter others who attempt to arm criminals."
According to prosecutors, this was a gun that changed hands a lot, and was given to people who should never have been allowed to own a gun.
The federal indictment states that Romo and Sandoval must forfeit four firearms and miscellaneous rounds of various caliber ammunition recovered from Romo's home in West Allis on July 20th.