Facing felony charge after March shooting, Brown Deer police officer appears in court
MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- A Brown Deer police officer, charged in connection with a shooting that happened in March appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday, October 26th.
Devon Kraemer
27-year-old Devon Kraemer is not in custody. She walked out of the courtroom Wednesday after signing a $5,000 signature bond.
Kraemer had no comment during her court hearing. Supporters were on hand during her court appearance.
Kraemer is charged with one felony count of aggravated battery, intentionally causing great bodily harm, use of a dangerous weapon -- stemming from the shooting that happened on March 14th.
Kraemer and a fellow Brown Deer police officer were called out to the area near 60th and Donna for an unruly passenger on a Milwaukee County Transit System bus.
The bus driver said Manuel Burnley became "disruptive" after being told the new transit policy required an M-card in order to receive transfers. He engaged in argumentative language with her, the driver said.
The complaint says the driver continued along the route, until she spotted two Brown Deer police officers' squads parked in a parking lot. The driver pulled over and honked -- trying to get the officers' attention -- as she wanted Burnley to be removed from the bus.
Officer-involved shooting near 60th and Donna in Brown Deer
According to the criminal complaint, video surveillance from the bus shows Kraemer and another officer board the bus and engage in conversation with Burnley.
The complaint states Burnley never threatened anyone on the bus, and he did not display or suggest he had a weapon of any type.
Police say after a few minutes of contact with Burnley, the officers removed him from the bus.
Officer-involved shooting near 60th and Donna in Brown Deer
According to the criminal complaint, while off the bus, Kraemer and the other officer were standing on either side of Burnley, "blanketing" his arms, as he stood between them.
Police say Burnley physically resisted being handcuffed and was taken to the ground by the second officer.
As Burnley fell to the ground, the complaint states Kraemer and the other officer went down as well -- at which point the three were mostly out of view of the bus camera.
Officer-involved shooting near 60th and Donna in Brown Deer
Police say the video shows Burnley was rolled over onto his stomach, and within a short time, a single gunshot was fired. Burnley was shot in the back.
Kraemer told police she could not see Burnley's left arm and shot him because she feared for her safety, but according to the criminal complaint, an expert in police defense says this was not a reasonable fear.
Burnley survived, but needed several surgeries. He spent 12 days in the hospital, receiving treatment for rib fractures -- and he had part of a lung removed. His lawyer said he still suffers from physical and emotional damage. Burnley never faced charges stemming from this incident.
Officer-involved shooting near 60th and Donna in Brown Deer
A Milwaukee Police Department investigation led to charges. The charging decision was made on October 21st.
Online reports show Kraemer worked her way up from dispatcher to patrol officer, and had been on the job for five years.
Kraemer has been placed on administrative leave.
If convicted of the criminal charge, she could face more than 15 years behind bars.
She will next be in court on November 3rd for her preliminary hearing.