An 18-year-old pregnant woman lost her fetus after being shot by a Milwaukee police officer during a chase involving a stolen vehicle connected to two carjackings. The incident also left a 17-year-old male suspect wounded. The stolen SUV became trapped in a construction zone and struck a police vehicle before the officer fired, according to Milwaukee Chief Jeffrey B. Norman. The 18-year-old was in critical condition and her unborn baby did not survive. A 17-year-old male suspect was in serious condition. There were six people in the vehicle, including the two who were shot. The police chase started around 2:20 p.m and ended when the stolen vehicle was blocked by roadwork and a cement truck on Interstate 43. The suspects were all arrested and charges forwarded to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
The police officer who fired was not identified, but was described as a 25-year-old with over four years of service who will be placed on administrative duty. The shooting is under investigation, with West Allis police leading the inquiry. A firearm was found in the stolen vehicle, and the roles of those inside are still being investigated. Body-worn video footage will be released soon. The incident resulted in the full closure of a section of the highway, which is a major thoroughfare in Milwaukee. The shooting comes just weeks before the city hosts the Republican National Convention, where former President Donald Trump recently made controversial comments about Milwaukee.
Carjackings have been on the rise in Milwaukee, with a 16% increase from 2022 to 2023, and a 12% increase year-to-date from last year to this year, according to police data. Chief Norman emphasized the need for more engagement of young people in positive activities in Milwaukee, calling the situation “unacceptable.” He questioned the role of parents and community members in keeping children away from gun violence and negative behaviors, saying there is no justification for young people to have guns. Norman condemned the incident as something that should never have happened, leaving all who hear about it appalled and angered.
The incident involving the shooting of a pregnant teenager and a teenage suspect highlights the escalating issue of carjackings in Milwaukee and the need for greater intervention to curb gun violence among young people. Norman stressed the importance of community involvement in steering youth towards positive behaviors and away from dangerous activities. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with authorities working to establish the sequence of events that led to the tragic loss of life. The closure of a major highway due to the incident underscores the severity of the situation and the impact it had on the local community.
The shooting has prompted calls for accountability and action to address the root causes of violence in Milwaukee, particularly among the city’s youth. The incident occurred in a contentious political climate as the city prepares to host a major national event, drawing attention to issues of safety and security in the area. As the investigation progresses, authorities will seek to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The tragic loss of the unborn baby serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the urgent need for measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Chief Norman’s impassioned response to the shooting reflects the gravity of the situation and the need for unified efforts to address gun violence in Milwaukee. The incident serves as a wake-up call for community members, parents, and authorities to work together towards creating a safer environment for all residents, particularly young people. The shooting has sparked outrage and calls for justice, as well as a reevaluation of existing strategies to combat carjackings and gun-related crimes in the city. Moving forward, there will be a renewed focus on prevention and intervention programs to steer youth away from violence and towards constructive activities that promote positive growth and development.
