Officials: UWM police shot, wounded person with weapon after altercation at Fine Arts Building

MILWAUKEE -- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) police shot and wounded an individual on Tuesday morning, March 19 near the loading dock by the Fine Arts Building. Investigators said it was all sparked by a startling discovery.

"I was like, 'Oh my God. What is happening on this campus?'" said Christine Chen, freshman.

The early-morning shooting had students like Chen on high alert.

"Cop cars everywhere," Chen said.

UWM Police Chief Joe LeMire made a brief statement on the matter. He indicated that around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded for a report of a male subject sleeping inside the building.

"A physical altercation took place between the officers and the individual, who they discovered had a weapon," said Chief LeMire.

Chief LeMire said police shot the man. The two officers were treated for minor injuries. The man was said to be in stable condition. A university spokeswoman said he had no connection to campus.

"This is spring break and our campus has relatively few people present right now," said LeMire.

A campus-wide alert was sent out minutes after police were called. Daniel Dyer received the alert by text message.

"They said to stay away from that area if you can. I made sure to do that," said Dyer.

Most of the surrounding area reopened by early afternoon, with the loading dock and parking area still blocked hours later. Thankfully, no students or employees were hurt.

"I hope the situation isn't as bad as it seems to be," said Lisdon Brannon, junior.

The investigation into this officer-involved shooting was handed over to the Oak Creek Police Department.

Anyone who witnessed what happened on Tuesday morning is urged to contact Oak Creek police at 414-766-7631.

The Peck School's Fine Arts Complex includes the Art Building, the Theatre Building, the Music Building and the Arts Center Lecture Hall. The Fine Arts Complex and the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts were closed briefly for the police investigation.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone released the following statement on the incident: