Elected Officials Respond To Assault on Suspended Wauwatosa Cop

WAUWATOSA, WI — Joseph Mensah, a Black Wauwatosa police officer involved in three fatal shootings of people of color over the past five years, was attacked and shot at Saturday night while at home.

Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride released a statement encouraging all members of the community "to reflect on their personal responsibility to engage in responsible and civil behavior."

"In recent weeks, various groups have protested in Wauwatosa, demanding that Officer Mensah be fired. The City of Wauwatosa has always supported and protected the right to peaceful protest," McBride said.

McBride said the incident was not a peaceful protest; it was criminal behavior.

The mayor said in his statement he is meeting with Police Chief Barry Weber, the city administrator, the city attorney, and other city officials to determine "which steps can be taken to ensure that Officer Mensah is fully protected and that criminal behavior of this kind will not happen again."

Police said a group of 50-60 people showed up at the officer's home near 100th Street and Vienna Avenue in the Milwaukee suburb around 8 p.m., "targeting" him.

The large group first vandalized the home and then became more violent, Wauwatosa police said in a news release issued Sunday.

"Officer Mensah attempted to establish a dialogue with the group but was ultimately physically assaulted outside his home," police said in a statement. "As Officer Mensah retreated into his home, armed protesters approached the rear door and a single shotgun round was discharged by a member of the group into the backdoor."

Mensah posted a Facebook statement on the incident:

"Last night, protesters came to my girlfriend’s house while I was there, and tried to kill me. I was unarmed and tried to defend my property and the property of my girlfriend. We were both assaulted, punched, and ultimately shot at several times. A shotgun round missed me by inches. Not once did I ever swing back or reciprocate any the hate that was being directed at me. I am all for peaceful protests, even against me, but this was anything but peaceful. They threw toilet paper in her trees, broke her windows, and again, shot at both of us as they were trying to kill me. There are children that live there any the knew that. The irony in all of this is that they chanted Black Lives Matter the entire time, but had zero regard for any of the black children that live there or me, a black man."

Elected officials respond

On Monday, Wisconsin Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) released a statement condemning the incident:

“The attack on Wauwatosa Police officer Joseph Mensah cannot be justified. It was not a “protest.” It was an attempt to circumvent two ongoing investigations and insert vigilante justice targeting his family, his neighbors, and those that may support him. It was fueled by hate, not legitimate action for change.

“No one should be targeted for violence and intimidation because of the job they hold – whether they are police officers, teachers, nurses, or referees – anyone.

“Enough is enough. The mob must be stopped. You can see it happening. From legitimate peaceful marches to the demotion of Chief Morales to Saturday night’s actions, it’s evident. Every time the mob gets what it wants, it escalates, grows larger and more bold.

“Someone is going to get killed or seriously injured, and the cycle of violence will get worse. It must end. And leaders in the community – both elected and otherwise must say so and take action to end it. Their silence is deafening.”

Wisconsin Rep. Rob Hutton also released a statement. The 13th Assembly District contains parts of Milwaukee and Waukesha counties and includes Elm Grove and portions of Brookfield, Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and West Allis. Hutton said:

“Saturday night a group of rioters followed through on weeks of threats and attacked a Wauwatosa Police Officer at his home. Though the protests of the last few weeks have been largely described as peaceful, a brief look at social media reveals multiple threats to find officers and their families at their homes.

“I proudly stand with the men and women of law enforcement who work to keep our communities safe and I call on the mayor and common council in Wauwatosa to work to bring peace and safety back to the community before events escalate any further.”

This story will be updated as Patch learns new information.