Sexual assault, shot fired at Milwaukee Intermodal Station; 1 in custody
Sexual assault, shot fired at Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Milwaukee police say a man is in custody after a sexual assault at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station on Thursday, April 9, where security fired a shot as commuters waited for a Chicago train.
MILWAUKEE - A man is in custody after Milwaukee police say he sexually assaulted a person Thursday morning, April 9, at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station.
Sexual assault, shot fired
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, officers were called to the Intermodal Station near 6th Street and St. Paul Avenue around 6 a.m. Witnesses said dozens of people were waiting for a 6:15 a.m. train to Chicago when they heard screams for help, followed by a gunshot.
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Police said station security found a 31-year-old man sexually assaulting a 33-year-old victim inside a bathroom. When security intervened, police said the suspect became combative.
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Security personnel stopped the assault and the suspect became combative. One shot was fired by security personnel. However, no one was struck.
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
The suspect was taken into custody. The case will be reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Amtrak said service remained uninterrupted throughout the day.
Witnesses hear screams
Local perspective:
Witness Gabe Funk said people nearby rushed to help after hearing the victim.
"The screaming didn't stop for 30, 45 seconds. People were inching closer to this woman screaming," he said. "Everyone just started running. You hear a gunshot, especially coming from inside, you don’t know who is shooting, what they’re shooting at."
Funk said panic followed the gunshot.
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"Whether it be a mass shooting or just an active shooter – I think that's where everyone’s head went, just get out of this situation as quickly as possible," he said.
Funk said people were eventually able to board the train to Chicago after police arrived.
State addresses safety
What they're saying:
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said the station is owned by the state but operated and maintained by third-party contractors, including security services.
WisDOT provided the following statement:
"WisDOT is aware of a security incident that occurred this morning at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating. As it’s an ongoing investigation, details of the incident will have to be released by the investigating agency.
The MIS is owned by the state but it is operated and maintained by third-party contractors, including the facility’s security services. WisDOT does not play a role in the daily operation or maintenance of the facility.
WisDOT is working to learn more about the incident. Our department has the utmost concern and care for the security and safety of any person using a public transportation facility. As we learn more about the incident, we will work with our contracting partners to take any necessary actions to maintain safe operation of the facility."
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department, Amtrak and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.