"He started shooting up the place:" Shots fired inside West Allis staffing service, suspect arrested
WEST ALLIS -- A workplace shooting ignites a manhunt in two Milwaukee counties. Gunfire rang out a staffing service near 53rd and Rogers in West Allis shortly after 10:00 a.m. Friday morning, December 18th. Quick action by employees and police helped lead them to the suspects whereabouts a short while later.
It was near Teutonia and Oriele where police actually made several arrests -- about ten miles away from where the crime went down. And there were tense moments from start to finish.
"He started shooting up the place," said Donte Johnson, StaffWorks employee.
Donte Johnson is employed through StaffWorks and arrived to the business location to find a crime scene.
Shots fired at West Allis business
"We normally never see no drama like this," said Johnson.
West Allis police responded after authorities received a call from the staffing agency around 10:15 a.m.
"An individual came into the business, discharged a firearm striking the window. IT was relayed to us early on, the individual is employed or at least at some point has been employed by the business," said West Allis Police Department Deputy Chief, Chris Botsch.
"As far as the people we work for who are sitting in the office, I know they felt their life was in danger or attached to some drama," said Johnson.
The suspect fled prior to police arriving, but officials were given the identifying information needed and located him a short time later.
Relieving information for Johnson and those working at the facility. The main building was shut down for the day while the dispatch area remained open.
"We're just thankful no one was hurt and this came to a quick resolution," said Botsch.
But the potential of a different outcome after violence in the workplace remains on Johnson's mind.
"Kind of makes you think what kind of people walk in and out and getting hired and leaving off," said Johnson.
Authorities are still determining the motive of the shooting. Police did say more than one person was arrested but say they believe only one of the men is responsible for the incident and did not give reasons for the other person taken into custody.