Woman Shot By Police After Random Stick Attack: Tosa PD

WAUWATOSA, WI—A 35-year-old woman is recovering from her injuries after she was shot by Wauwatosa Police Thursday night as authorities responded to a report of suspicious circumstances, according to Abby Pavlik, the public information officer for the department.

Around 9:15 p.m. officers responded to a report of an assault in the 7900 block of Harwood Ave.

The initial caller reported witnessing a woman "violently attacking a female victim with a stick" in an apparent random attack, Pavlik said.

"Preliminary investigations found the subject was unknown to the victim and it appeared this was a random and unprovoked attack. After the attack, the subject left the area and was last seen walking eastbound on Harwood Ave," Pavlik said.

A 23-year-old female officer, with nine months experience, responded and located the woman in the area of Underwood Avenue and Harmonee Avenue, Pavlik said.

The woman immediately ran up to the officer’s police carand began striking the windshield with a wooden post, Pavlik said.

When confronted by the officer, the woman refused to comply with the officer’s commands and "advanced on the officer with the wooden post," Pavlik said.

"The officer was forced to shoot the subject. Despite being shot, the woman continued her aggressive and assaultive behavior, striking the police vehicle with the wooden post numerous times. Several responding officers were required to take her into custody," Pavlik said.

Officers immediately began rendering aid until Wauwatosa fire officials arrived. The woman was taken to the hospital where she underwent surgery and is said to be in stable condition.

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team (MAIT) is investigating the incident, in accordance with Wisconsin State Statute, led by the West Allis Police Department.

"As in past incidents, we are fully cooperating with the investigation and value the thoroughness of the investigative team. The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave per department policy," Pavlik said.

Live video footage showed crime tape and a large amount of police officers. Multiple agencies responded to the scene and police requested the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team to respond and investigate the incident, Pavlik said.

"We are aware of rumors that the involved subject was part of a protest group, at this time, we believe that to be inaccurate," Pavlik said.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported state troopers blocked roads and assisted with a crowd of protesters. According to the Sentinel, by 11:30 p.m., about 30 protesters gathered near the scene and some were yelling at officers.

The Wauwatosa Police Department is looking for both eye witnesses and video evidence. Additional information regarding the shooting will be released by the West Allis Police Department.

"We understand that any use of force can be concerning to our citizens. Police officers train to control individuals with the least amount of force necessary. Any time there is an officer involved shooting, we understand the community has many concerns. No police officer wants this to happen," Pavlik said.

The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist And Political Repression released a statement on Friday regarding the shooting.

"The Wauwatosa Police Department has been the focus of various protests, including protests hosted by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, The People's Revolution, and other organizations.

In our fight for Justice for Thee Three, we have become immensely aware of how unhinged and dangerous the Wauwatosa Police Department is. We are looking for the name of the woman who was shot by the Wauwatosa Police Department. We are also making the following demands:

We demand that the officer involved with this shooting be terminated and arrested immediately. We demand that Police Chief Weber be immediately terminated as his "leadership" has enabled and encouraged Wauwatosa Police Officers to act in a manner that terrorizes the people they interact with.

We demand that the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission be abolished and replaced with a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC). We demand that the community is in control of the police. The PFC has shown themselves to be less than inclined to fire any officers that have brutalized and killed people in Wauwatosa.

Weber has fostered a culture where Wauwatosa Police Officers feel free to act however they want without any fear of consequences and it must be put to an end. Citizens have been brutalized by the Wauwatosa Police Department for simply expressing their First Amendment rights and it must be put to an end. We will fight for justice for the woman who was shot last night by the Wauwatosa Police Department."