MILWAUKEE, WI – A lengthy road closure on Milwaukee’s I-43 concluded late Thursday afternoon when a vehicular pursuit escalated into a shooting incident by the police, which resulted in a pregnant 18-year-old woman sustaining critical injuries and the death of her unborn child.
The shooting took place on the northbound side of I-43 amidst a construction site. Helicopter footage from the scene showed the bullet-riddled white Chevrolet SUV confirmed to be stolen by Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.
Norman reported the vehicle to have housed six individuals, including the driver, whose ages ranged between 15 and 18 years. Police officers confronted the vehicle and commanded the driver to get out. However, the driver chose to reverse, hitting a police car in the process. Upon driving forward and reversing again, yet another officer fired into the SUV, hitting the pregnant girl and a 17-year-old male. Both teens suffered severe injuries, and the unborn child of the girl did not survive.
Four other occupants of the SUV, two girls, and two boys, were hospitalized with minor injuries. A firearm was also discovered in the vehicle.
The police officer who was responsible for firing the shot, a 24-year-old with over four years of service, has been placed on administrative duty following standard procedures. The investigation has been handed over to the West Allis Police Department.