MILWAUKEE — The family of a teenager shot and killed by a Wauwatosa police officer said they expect to learn Wednesday whether that officer will be criminally charged. The fatal shooting was the third in the past five years, involving Officer Joseph Mensah; the two previous shootings were ruled justified.
Months later, the loss of her son, Alvin, doesn’t get easier for Tracy Cole.
“Just the days of missing my boy, you know it’s hard,” Tracy said. “I’m just trying to be strong.”
On Feb. 2, Officer Mensah shot and killed Alvin at Mayfair Mall. Police said the 17-year-old fired a shot first as officers chased him.
Tracy said she and her family will finally learn Mensah’s fate on Wednesday afternoon in a meeting with Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.
“With all of the evidence that my lawyer has presented, it’s going to show in our favor,” Tracy said.
Tracy is nervous, but remains optimistic, along with her attorney, Kimberley Motley, that the DA will see the facts as they do.
“We believe that the shooting of Alvin Cole by Officer Mensah was not justified,” Motley said.
They hope the DA will take Mensah’s past record into consideration in making his decision.
Mensah is the same officer who shot and killed Antonio Gonzales in 2015 and Jay Anderson JR. in 2016.
“Chisholm’s just got to do the right thing,” Tracy said.
However, they said no matter the decision, in the end, no one wins.
“A life was still lost and that’s the real tragedy,” Motley said.
“Hopefully it brings awareness you know of what’s going on with police officers’ accountability,” Tracy said.
Mensah remains suspended with pay from the Wauwatosa Police Department.
TMJ4 News reached out to Mensah’s attorney for comment, but have not heard back at this time.
The Milwaukee County DA’s Office would not confirm Wednesday's meeting with the Cole family, and told TMJ4 News that they will let the media know when a charging decision is made.
