Racine police shooting; officers wounded, man arrested

Racine police officers shot, wounded; man arrested

Two Racine police officers were shot and wounded after an incident that unfolded on Gillen Street just east of West Boulevard late Tuesday, Jan. 17.

RACINE, Wis. - Two Racine police officers were shot and wounded after an incident that on Gillen Street just east of West Boulevard overnight.

Officers responded to a domestic incident around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17. A woman met officers outside and told them her husband was inside their home with their two children, officials said.

At one point before police arrived, officials said the 26-year-old man came outside and fired a gun into the air before going back inside.

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Around 12:50 a.m. – two hours after police arrived and had been trying to communicate with the man – officials said the man fired multiple shots from a window at four officers. Officers returned fire, but did not hit the man.

"I was watching it, and I heard ‘boom boom boom,’ and I hit the floor because you don't know where the bullets are coming from, you know?" said neighbor Desiree McClain.

Racine Police Department news conference after 2 officers were shot, wounded

Officials said a man fired multiple shots from a window at four officers. Officers returned fire, but did not hit the man. Two of the officers were wounded by the man's gunfire.

Two of the four officers were struck by the man's gunfire and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police Chief Maurice Robinson identified the officers as Joe Burinda and Benjamin Eiden.

"I am not happy. I am happy they are going to be OK, but the event that brings us here brings me a great deal of displeasure," said Robinson.

Officers Joe Burinda and Benjamin Eiden (Courtesy: RPD)

Robinson said Burinda sustained a shoulder injury and Eiden sustained facial injuries from what police believe were birdshot pellets. Both officers, the chief said, stayed at the scene after being shot.

"To sustain a gunshot wound and stay on the scene, that’s courage. That’s dedication," said Robinson. "I couldn’t be any more proud to be their chief."

2 Racine officers shot, wounded after domestic incident on Gillen Street

The man was eventually talked out of the residence, and he surrendered around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Police said the man had "superficial injuries" and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Officials said the man is in the Racine County Jail on pending charges of attempted homicide, recklessly endangering safety and domestic violence disorderly conduct.

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The children, ages 1 and 3, were reunited with their mother.

The other two officers involved were identified as Tom DeBaker and Dan Wasmund. All four officers will be placed on administrative leave, which is procedure.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call police at 262-635-7756. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers 262-636-9330 or through the P3 app.