Body camera video shows end of incident with armed suspect holding hostages in Milwaukee
Body camera video shows end of incident with armed suspect holding hostages in Milwaukee
Body camera video shows end of incident with armed suspect holding hostages in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- For the first time, we see dramatic body camera video -- a first-person view from a Milwaukee police officer in the midst of gunfire -- as officers tried to rescue hostages. It all unfolded at a house near 76th and Townsend early on Tuesday, December 8th.
76th & Townsend
Police say officers responded to the scene around 11:45 p.m. Monday, for a report of subjects with guns. When officers arrived, they learned two male suspects entered a home (believed to be a drug house) and were attempting to rob the residents inside.
According to police, officers entered the home and one of the robbery suspects fired shots -- but did not hit the officers.
A Milwaukee Police Department District 7 officer returned fire, but did not strike the suspects.
One of the suspects, a 43-year-old man, fled the scene and was arrested by responding officers.
The remaining suspect continued to hold a 41-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman inside the home against their will -- threatening to shoot them and police.
For 30 minutes, the remaining suspect spoke with a negotiator.
Use of body cameras
RAW VIDEO: Police Chief Ed Flynn talks about use of body cameras in 76th & Townsend incident
RAW VIDEO: Police Chief Ed Flynn talks about use of body cameras in 76th & Townsend incident
In a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn showed reporters the video from a body camera worn by an officer.
The video shows quite an intense situation. Chief Flynn said he was releasing it because it shows the courage and restraint of his officers.
An armed robber had taken a couple to the basement of the home -- and bound them.
The body camera video shows the silhouette of the police negotiator -- standing at the top of the staircase leading into the basement, trying to reason with the suspect holding the two people hostage below.
"The lieutenant is on it. He's getting that stuff that you're asking for," the negotiator is heard saying.
After about 30 minutes of negotiations, a gunshot was heard. That's when officers stormed into the basement. Four more shots were heard before officers made it to the basement. There, they found the suspect, 33-year-old Steven Bunn, deceased.
The two bound hostages were found lying to the suspect's right and left. They were not shot.
"You can see restraint characterized their attempts at negotiation as well as their tactics," said Chief Flynn. "But their courage certainly didn't fail them. As soon as the gunshots rang out, your Milwaukee police officers were running down the stairs."
IMPORTANT: Viewer discretion is advised
RAW VIDEO: Body camera video from incident at 76th & Townsend
RAW VIDEO: Body camera video from incident at 76th & Townsend
Chief Flynn says he believes the Milwaukee Police Department's new body cameras will form a first line of defense, and show officers overwhelmingly perform within professional guidelines.
"There is going to be an extraordinary body of evidence by Milwaukee Police Departments -- demonstrating not just the harsh realities of policing, but the day-to-day reality of values like courage and restraint," Chief Flynn said.
Police recovered two guns from the suspect and confiscated illegal drugs inside the home -- including cocaine and marijuana.
The man and woman inside the home were rescued safely and then arrested for allegedly being keepers of a drug house.
The identity of the deceased suspect has yet to be determined.
Chief Flynn said Tuesday they were able to release this video so quickly because his officers did not shoot anyone, which means no outside investigation is needed. Also, because the suspect is deceased, there won't be a complaint against him, and the video won't be needed for his trial.