'I heard over 32 shots:' Police on scene for 16 hours after shootout with reckless driver



MILWAUKEE -- A 23-year-old Milwaukee man died at the hospital Sunday night, Dec. 15 after a shootout with Milwaukee police near 47th Street and Hampton Avenue.

Police said it all started around 8 p.m. when officers began pursuing the man for reckless driving.

The gunfire erupted outside several homes and apartments.

"I heard over 32 shots," said Asha Coleman, neighbor.



Coleman said she was inside her home when the shootout happened in her backyard.

"I was standing by my living room door and it was so close to where I had to duck down," said Coleman. "I thought my windows were going to literally get busted out."

Officer-involved shooting near 47th and Hampton



Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said the 23-year-old man opened fire first, prompting three officers to fire back -- striking him. He died around 11 p.m. at the hospital.

"None of the officers were hurt," said Chief Morales at the scene Sunday night. "Officers involved are a nine-year-veteran of the department, the second is a five-year veteran, and the third has four years with the department."

Officer-involved shooting near 47th and Hampton



Shortly before the shooting, police said Morales tried to pull the man over for reckless driving, and he refused to stop, leading officers on a short chase until his vehicle crashed into a light pole. That's when Morales said the man pulled out his weapon.

"My mom, she said, 'Get down' because we didn't know where the bullets was coming from," said Michael Browning, neighbor.

Officer-involved shooting near 47th and Hampton



Browning said he heard the commotion and ran outside to see what was going on.

"The tires was like, bent, so the car couldn't go nowhere else after it hit that pole right there," said Browning. "That's where the pole was, right there."

Emergency responders taped off the scene for 16 hours as investigators searched the neighborhood for evidence.

Officer-involved shooting near 47th and Hampton



"Just sirens all night long because they was parked in front of my house all night," said Browning.

While shaken up, neighbors said they were thankful no innocent bystanders were harmed amid the chaos.

Officer-involved shooting near 47th and Hampton



"I just hope everything gets better," said Coleman. "It was a really scary moment. Everyone has kids over here, so it was really scary."

Chief Morales said the 23-year-old man's firearm was recovered at the scene.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Monday repeated his support for MPD's pursuit policy.

"I think it's really important that we have this independent analysis before we reach any final conclusions," said Mayor Barrett. "I think it shows you the dangers, clearly, of running away from police officers, and it shows you the dangers of when you open fire at police."

The three officers were placed on administrative duty amid the investigation by the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team, led by the Wauwatosa Police Department.