Suspect sought: Officials investigate after shots fired at District 4 police station

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Police are investigating shots that were fired at the District 4 police station at about 1:45 a.m. on Monday, July 21st.

According to police, an officer was seated in a squad car in the east parking lot when three shots were fired from the area of a parking lot in the 5500 block of N. 69th Street, striking the wall directly above and around the squad.

The bullets damaged the brick, but thankfully they did not penetrate the building or strike the officer.

Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

"It's pretty safe over here, like no trouble at all," Tristan Roberts said.

Roberts lives in the area -- and says he takes comfort in being so close to a police station.

"It's supposed to be a lot safer," Roberts said.

That feeling of safety was shaken early Monday morning when shots were fired at the station. The bullet holes left behind are now marked as evidence.

"The shots fired at the 4th District are obviously a matter of concern for all of us. Obviously they were unprovoked," Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said.

Police say when the shots were fired, one officer was sitting in his squad car, and another was standing inside the building -- near a window.

"Mercifully none of (the bullets) penetrated the building nor struck any of the officers and clearly we're gonna do our best to get to the bottom of it," Chief Flynn said.

Speaking after a police graduation ceremony on Monday, Chief Flynn says the incident is a reminder of the dangers officers face in the city.

"If anybody has information about this, certainly we'd appreciate the phone call," Chief Flynn said.

"A person that is willing to take shots at a police officer, is willing to take shots at just about anybody," Milwaukee Police Captain Victor Beecher said.

Captain Beecher says the officers in the line of fire on Monday morning are moving on like the professionals they are.

"What it comes down to is they persevere. They move forward. Keep going, do their job, keep their head on a swivel," Captain Beecher said.

It appears the suspect used a handgun, but we are still waiting on a ballistics report.

Evidence has been recovered from the scene -- and now, police are asking the public for information.

Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360.