Complaint: Suspect in New Berlin officer-involved shooting admitted to pointing gun at unmarked squad

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Waukesha man has been charged following the New Berlin officer-involved shooting in Milwaukee March 6.

Twenty-year-old Marcus Crawford Jr. faces the following charges:

  • Sell/possess/use/transport machine gun
  • Endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon (pointing)
  • Possession with intent to deliver controlled substance (THC)

According to a criminal complaint, a New Berlin police detective fired shots at Crawford while investigating a stolen vehicle near 56th and Chambers missing from New Berlin.

When interviewed, one of the detectives on scene stated that he and his partner were investigating the stolen vehicle while operating out of an unmarked squad car in the city of Milwaukee. The detectives traveled to Milwaukee to attempt to locate the vehicle and found it parked across the street from a silver sedan. 

The detective said he saw a man, later identified as Crawford, standing outside the sedan speaking with its driver before he began walking toward the driver's side of the stolen vehicle with a key fob.

The complaint says the detective's partner then exited the unmarked squad, and the sound of gunshots and glass breaking could be heard.

Crawford and a second occupant of the stolen vehicle were then taken into custody.

Four spent casings were recovered on scene, according to the complaint, which investigators determined were fired by the detective who had stepped out of the vehicle.

After searching the stolen vehicle, authorities found a handgun with an extended magazine and modified with a "switch," as well as multiple baggies of suspected marijuana.

During an interview, the complaint says Crawford admitted to pointing this firearm toward the unmarked squad car prior to the officer-involved shooting, because "he thought that people were out to get him."

He reportedly said he didn't know the vehicle was being operated by officers until after he pointed in their direction and saw the officer's arm and vest. 

Cash bond has been set at $25,000. He is due in court for a preliminary hearing on March 20.

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