'This is nuts!' Man in critical condition after falling from roof while running from police

77th and Hicks

WEST ALLIS -- A West Allis man is in critical condition after jumping from a rooftop as he tried to avoid police. It happened at a home near 77th and Hicks just before midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

"This is rare to see this. It scares me to see this," said Ali Sontag, lives nearby.

Officers focused their investigation near two West Allis homes after the man fell.

"This is nuts," said Sontag.

77th and Hicks

The incident started when police responded to a prowling call near 78th and Rogers just before midnight. Investigators tracked a person of interest to 77th and Hicks. When they tried to make contact with him, he went out the second story of a home and onto the roof.

Police said he tried to jump to the roof next door, but he missed his target.

77th and Hicks

"He was running from the cops. Then he went into the house and went from roof to roof and fell and hit his head pretty hard," said Sontag.

Neighbors like Sontag and Alice Grenfell called the situation shocking.

"Trying to get away, jumping to another building and falling. What a tragic thing to happen to you," said Grenfell.

The man was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Sontag watched as he was taken away.

77th and Hicks

77th and Hicks

 

Neighbors used the incident as a teaching moment.

"I just had a discussion with my family about why you would run from the police when they say to stop," said Grenfell.

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating the incident.

77th and Hicks

Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to call police.