A pregnant 18-year-old woman was shot and lost her fetus when a Milwaukee police officer shot at a stolen vehicle linked to two carjackings that sent police on a chase Thursday afternoon, the city’s police chief said.
A 17-year-old was also shot and injured in the interstate incident.
During the chase, which began after police tried to stop it, the stolen SUV became stuck in a construction zone and struck a police vehicle before the officer fired, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey B. Norman told reporters. reporters.
The 18-year-old was in a life-threatening condition in a hospital and her unborn baby did not survive, Norman said.
A 17-year-old man was in critical condition, Norman said. He described them as suspicious.
Six people were in the vehicle, Norman said, including the two who were shot.
A 15-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and another 18-year-old woman were also in the vehicle and were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, Norman said.
The police chase began about 2:20 p.m. and ended when the stolen vehicle entered a construction lane on Interstate 43 and was blocked by roadwork and a cement truck, Norman said. A Milwaukee police officer gave orders to stop and for the people inside to get out, he said.
“The suspected driver reversed the vehicle, striking a marked vehicle. The suspected driver drove forward and then reversed the vehicle. An officer was located behind the vehicle at the time,” Norman said.
“At this time, another officer discharged his firearm into the vehicle, subsequently striking two suspects,” he said.
The police officer who fired was not identified; Norman said he is a 25-year-old man with more than four years of service. He will be placed on administrative duties, which Norman said is routine after a shooting.
West Allis police are leading the investigation, he said.
Norman said a firearm was found in the stolen vehicle. He said the roles of the people in the vehicle were also under investigation.
Norman said any body-worn video would be released “soon.”
All six people in the vehicle were arrested and charges were forwarded to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, police said. None of them have been publicly identified.
The shooting resulted in the complete closure of a section of the highway, which runs north-south through Milwaukee and the area.
Milwaukee will host the Republican National Convention in about three weeks. Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was recently attacked after reports surfaced that he called Milwaukee “a horrible city” in a meeting with House Republicans.
Car thefts have been on the rise recently in Milwaukee, increasing 16% from 2022 to 2023, from 398 to 463, according to police data. They are up 12% year to date from last year to this year.
Norman said more needs to be done in Milwaukee to keep young people involved in positive activities. He called Thursday’s situation “unacceptable” and said there is no reason for young people to have guns.
“Parents: What is happening to your children? People in our community, how are we helping to keep our kids in positive behaviors instead of what we’re seeing today?” Norman said.
“This should never have happened,” he said. “This is unacceptable, and everyone who hears this should be shocked and angered.”
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
