MILWAUKEE — Elsa's On The Park was closed Thursday as the Milwaukee Police Department continues to investigate a shooting that left two people injured inside the downtown Milwaukee restaurant the night before.
According to our partners at the Milwaukee Business Journal, the famed restaurant is preparing to reopen Friday at 11 a.m. Susie Littlefield, chief financial officer and vice president for Elsa's, told the Bizjournal Thursday, "Of course we are very saddened that such a thing could happen here. We plan to move forward and we will be open tomorrow and continue to serve our loyal customers as they would expect us to do."
According to Milwaukee police, a 27- and 55-year-old were shot and injured Wednesday at the restaurant in the city's Cathedral Square neighborhood around 8 p.m. The victims were transported to the hospital and are expected to survive.
The BizJournal reports Jeff Fleming, director of communications and public engagement for the city of Milwaukee, said the incident appears to be a "targeted shooting, not a random act."
Speaking on behalf of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Fleming said the mayor "continues to call for stronger action from state and federal leaders to reduce the number of guns in the hands of people who should not have them."
Officials fear crime will keep companies from moving downtown or people visiting for entertainment, BizJournal reports.
The sight at Elsa's was a hard one to believe for neighbors of the business like Marcellus Parker. He's an attorney at Laster and Associateswhose offices are just steps away from Elsa's doors.
"I was there 24 hours before the shooting with our new associate just hanging out, it could've been us," said Parker. "It was shocking to receive an email this morning to watch out as you're coming into work because there were going to be bullet holes in the glass."
Parker is among those who hope the incident won't sour the city's reputation for visitors.
"I don't want anybody to get a disparaged thought of downtown Milwaukee. It's a great city, everyone can see that, the reason why we’re out here now is because this is a great area."
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