Police Shoot Bystander During Pursuit In Milwaukee: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — Police in Milwaukee say a bystander suffered a serious gunshot wound when he was shot by a Milwaukee Police officer as police chasing a driver who fled from a traffic stop.

According to Milwaukee Police, a 41-year-old Milwaukee man was hit by one gunshot fired by a police officer, and suffered a non-life-threatening injury. The officer was chasing a 22-year-old man.

"I was asleep when it happened, and I heard a lot of commotion, and sirens, and lights," said Lamont Joyner, a person who lives in the neighborhood according to a FOX 6 report. "It's scary. It's very scary. It's going on everywhere."

Police say officers were on patrol in the 2700 block of W. Townsend Street at just after 1 a.m. Sunday when they spotted a driver who was speeding. Police say they attempted a traffic stop on the driver, later identified as a 22-year-old Milwaukee man, only to have him speed away.

At one point during the pursuit, police say the 22-year-old placed his car in reverse and struck one of the pursuing officers’ squad car. He continued to flee, and shortly afterward, got out of his his car and ran toward a house on the 3200 block of North 26th St.

Police say the pursuing officer chased the 22-year-old. As he was running for the house, the pursuing officer believed the 22-year-old was reaching for a weapon, according to reports following the incident. The officer fired one shot at him. The shot missed, and struck the 41-year-old Milwaukee man who was nearby.

Police say the 41-year-old man suffered a serious gunshot injury and was transported to a local hospital where he is expected to survive.

According to police, the officer who who shot the man is a 27-year-old with 18 months of service time. He was placed on administrative duty based on Milwaukee Police Standard Operating Procedure.

Authorities say the Milwaukee Police Department Homicide Division will be investigating the officer's use of force. A community briefing discussing this incident will be released in approximately 45 days.