Arrest Of Alvin Cole Mother Reportedly Caught On Video In Tosa

WAUWATOSA, WI— The mother and other siblings of a 17-year-old killed in a police shooting were arrested Thursday night by Wauwatosa police.

A local organization, which campaigns against police crimes committed primarily against the poor and people of color, has also said the father of Jacob Blake — who was shot by police in Kenosha — was also arrested in Wauwatosa.

Sgt. Abby Pavlik, Public Information Officer, told Patch on Friday afternoon that Jacob Blake Sr. wasn't arrested.

The arrests came after police enforced curfew violations after 7 p.m.. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tracy, Taleavia and Tristiana Cole were arrested after 9 p.m. near Wauwatosa and Milwaukee avenues.

Cole family attorney, Kimberly Motley, told Patch, Tracy Cole, Alvin's mother, was in the hospital after being arrested. A short time later Motley tweeted an update around 11 p.m. that Tracy and Tristiana Cole were released from the hospital.

In a bystander video, a woman, who identifies herself by saying "I'm Ms. Cole, Alvin's mother" is seen being removed from a car. An officer is heard warning someone about possibly being "tased."

The video just shows an empty car but voices can be heard. In the video a woman's voice is heard asking why the woman is being arrested and another voice yelling, "Don't touch me."

A woman's voice is heard repeating, "I can't breathe, you killed my son Alvin Cole."

Wauwatosa Police posted on Facebook, "One of the individuals arrested, a 49 year-old female, requested medical attention. Wauwatosa Fire Department was promptly summoned, and this individual was transported to the hospital." It is not confirmed if Tracy Cole was the person police mentioned and why the woman needed medical attention.

The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression released the following statement to Patch:

"MAARPR was notified that Tracy and Taleavia Cole, the mother and sister of Alvin Cole, were pulled from their car and arrested shortly after 9 p.m. tonight in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. They were protesting DA Chisholm’s recent decision not to charge serial killer cop, Joseph Mensah, responsible for the murder of Alvin Cole, as well as the murders of Jay Anderson, Jr. and Antonio Gonzales.

• We demand the immediate release of Tracy and Taleavia Cole, Jacob Blake, Sr. (the father of Jacob Blake, Jr.), and all other protesters arrested following the announcement of DA Chisholm’s unjust decision.
• We demand the officers who arrested Tracy Cole, Taleavia Cole and Jacob Blake, Sr. be held accountable for excessive force during the arrest, and investigated for previous uses of excessive force.
• We demand medical expenses for any and all injuries Tracy Cole obtained due to excessive force during the arrest be covered in full by the City of Wauwatosa.

These arrests, along with others made tonight, were clearly targeted. We stand in solidarity with the families of Alvin Cole and Jacob Blake who have to endure police violence affecting their families yet again. We will continue to demand justice for the victims of police crimes without compromise.

Protests and unrest have followed the news that suspended Wauwatosa Police Joseph Mensah would not face charges in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole at the Mayfair Mall in February. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm made the announcement Wednesday after meeting with Cole's family and attorney.

"There is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable," Chisholm said in a 14-page document addressed to Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber. "I do not believe that the State could disprove self-defense or defense of others in this case and therefore could not meet the burden required to charge Officer Mensah."