KENOSHA, WI — A Kenosha police officer is recovering after being shot early Saturday morning. He was responding to a call of a vehicle break-in.
"Shots fired!" could be heard shouted on scanner traffic seconds after the shooting. It marked a moment of uncertainty for an officer as he awaited aid and backup.
"I'm in the middle of the road," the officer said.
Kenosha Police said the officer was responding to calls of a vehicle break-in in the 4600 block of Sheridan Road.
A call made by this man, who didn't want to be identified.
“When I saw them opening the door to that car. When they open the door. I approached them. They took off running,” the man said.
After trying to chase two men he says he saw going through cars, he called Kenosha Police. A call he'd later learn would end in an exchange in gunfire blocks away.
The officer was hit, but is expected to be okay. The suspect is still on the run.
“I feel sorry for him. They're protecting us, you know?” said the caller to TMJ4 News.
“it’s 2020. We got a [COVID-19] pandemic. Don’t need a gun violence pandemic too,” said Nathan Ortiz, a resident.
Ortiz lived in the area for over 20 years. He said he's happy to know the officer will be okay.
As for the suspect, he said he believes the search won't last very long.
"Good luck hiding. Because you won't be able to hide in this small town," Ortiz said.
The police officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He has two years of service with the Kenosha Police Department.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation will handle the investigation, police said.
