Acting Sheriff: "Our freeway system is not for outlaw behavior," orders extra patrols

Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt has ordered high-visibility saturation patrols on I-43, effective immediately. This is in response to shootings that occurred on that highway this past week.

"Our freeway system is not for outlaw behavior! Criminals who disregard the safety of others will be tracked down and incarcerated! You have my word, and the resources of the Sheriff's Office," Schmidt said in a press release sent out Saturday afternoon.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office is still actively working on two open investigations regarding two recent freeway shootings.

Friday at about 4:50 p.m., deputies responded to a call about a shooting on I-43 southbound between Hampton Ave. and Capitol Dr. One person was shot and taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Investigators are searching for a known suspect. The shooting caused the southbound lanes of I-43 to be closed for about three and a half hours.

On Monday, Sept. 25 at about 1:40 p.m., deputies responded to reports of shots fired on the freeway at northbound I-43 near Walnut St. Witnesses said there was one person shooting at another vehicle. Two vehicles were hit by bullets from this incident, but no injuries were reported.

Monday's incident caused northbound I-43 to close near this area. 19 shell casings were recovered during a search of the area. Witnesses reported seeing a dark red or maroon SUV and a dark red sedan when describing the reported shooting.