2nd arrest made in connection with shots fired that struck homes near 47th and Lloyd

ST. FRANCIS -- Milwaukee County Sheriff's officials announced a second arrest in connection with a shots fired incident on Feb. 3 in the area near 47th and Lloyd.

The arrest was made by sheriff's officials and U.S. Marshals on Monday morning, March 4.

Sheriff's officials said deputies attempted a traffic stop near Howard Avenue and Lake Drive in St. Francis -- when the suspect's vehicle struck the rear of an unmarked squad before fleeing the scene.

Jose Marmolejo

A short pursuit ensued before the suspect stopped and surrendered on S. Lake Drive near Denton Avenue.

No one was hurt.

Sheriff's officials were presenting charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety and fleeing/eluding to the district attorney against this suspect.

Jose Marmolejo, 22, was charged Feb. 8 with second degree recklessly endangering safety, use of a dangerous weapon, as party to a crime and harboring/aiding a felon.

According to the criminal complaint, deputies with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area near State Highway 175 and Lisbon Avenue around 10:20 a.m. on Feb. 3. A Shot Spotter alert indicated “14 shots were fired.”

Jose Marmolejo

A witness told investigators he saw “a black SUV behind him with an individual sticking his arm out of the front passenger side window firing shots from a semi-automatic handgun.” The witness noted the license plate on the SUV — and shared it with investigators.

Deputies recovered nine 9mm casings in the area — and determined “three occupied residences had been struck by gunfire.”

Shots fired investigation near 47th and Lloyd

Using the license plate information, deputies learned the owner of the vehicle. That owner indicated his son, Joe Marmolejo, has access to the vehicle — and that when the owner woke up that morning, “both his vehicle and his son were not at home.”

The vehicle was towed and processed. Three spent 9mm casings were recovered from the interior of the vehicle, the complaint said.

Shots fired investigation near 47th and Lloyd

On Feb. 4, investigators spoke directly with Marmolejo. He indicated he drove to his uncle’s house at approximately 3 a.m. — and he drank until daylight. But when investigators told Marmolejo “he needed to be honest,” Marmolejo said “an unknown man waved him down and offered to pay him for a ride.” Marmolejo apparently agreed to do that. During the ride, the stranger “offered to sell Mr. Marmolejo drugs and a semi-automatic firearm. Mr. Marmolejo refused to buy either item.” The complaint said a short time later, Marmolejo and the stranger were in the area near State Highway 175 and Lisbon Avenue and the “unknown male rolled down the window and began firing the handgun out of the window.” Marmolejo said he dropped the unknown man off in an alley near 22nd and Maple. Marmolejo indicated “he did not report the incident to police.

Shots fired investigation near 47th and Lloyd

Marmolejo is scheduled to be back in court on March 25 for a status conference.