Vehicle driven by teen shot by Tosa police was listed as stolen, had since been recovered by family
WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 17-year-old is in the hospital following a Wauwatosa police officer-involved shooting near N. 92nd St. and W. Congress Street Tuesday night.
According to authorities, officers patrolling the area saw a vehicle reported as stolen through the city of Milwaukee. The officers contacted the vehicle while parked in the alley between N. 92 St. and N. 91 St. and Congress.
The driver got out of the vehicle armed with a firearm. He did not comply with officers' commands, and two officers fired their weapons and struck the subject. The firearm was recovered on scene.
Officers provided first aid to the subject until the Milwaukee Fire Department arrived on scene. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive.
One officer involved is 34 years old, with over eight years of service. The other officer is 30 years old with over five years of experience. They have been placed on administrative leave per department policy. The Milwaukee Police Department is conducting an investigation and Wauwatosa police are fully cooperating.
In a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Wauwatosa Police Chief James MacGillis said the vehicle had been reported stolen in Milwaukee, but had recently been recovered by a family member of the vehicle's owner. The recovery had not been reported to police, so the vehicle was still listed as stolen.
"I wish the family and subject involved a quick recovery," said Chief MacGillis. "Again, it's a terrible set of circumstances, I'm just glad everyone is alive today."
MacGillis commended the officers for their protection of the community during the conference, saying "It's an unfortunate circumstance, and again, I have to ask the question -- why does a 17-year-old have a firearm in their possession?"
Police say bodycam footage will not be released at this time pending an active investigation.
"Police officers have a desire to protect the community and go home at the end of their shift every night. They go out there to serve the public and I have to commend the officers of the Wauwatosa Police Department for being brave, going out there and doing things that they're needing to do," MacGillis said.
Investigators are seeking additional information, to include eye witness accounts and video evidence from the area around 10:50 p.m. Please contact the Milwaukee Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau at 414-935-7360.