MILWAUKEE — An off-duty Milwaukee police officer and two people attempting to break into a car exchanged fire early Tuesday morning in the Burnham Park neighborhood.
It happened just before 12:45 a.m. The off-duty officer heard glass break and went to investigate near the corner of 37th and Branting Lane.
Surveillance video showed him identifying himself as a Milwaukee Police Officer. Neighbors said he lived in the area.
Shortly after, around a dozen shots can be heard between the off-duty officer and the two individuals.
Neighbors also said several police squad cars arrived shortly after.
Watch: Surveillance video from 37th & Branting
The Milwaukee Police Department said that the individuals fired first, and neither the suspects nor the officer were struck.
The two people fled the scene following the gunfire. A car can also be seen driving away in the surveillance video.
One of the unintended targets was an apartment building. It was hit by a stray bullet early in the morning.
TMJ4 News found another building across the street that was also hit by a stray bullet.
Neighbors told TMJ4 News they had noticed an uptick in car break-ins and vandalism around their neighborhood, especially over the past month.
Milwaukee Crime Data & Statistics Map: Crime Maps & Statistics (milwaukee.gov)
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it’s left neighbors on edge about the uptick in violence.
The car break-ins and violence that ensue are part of a problem seen across the city.
Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarippa, who represents District 8, urged people to make a report so police know what’s going on.
“We have to report every crime,” said Alderwoman Zamarippa. “The police do keep this data, and they do review it, and that helps to tell them where they need to be focused.”
Neighbors just want to see less crime in their neighborhood and all over Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Police Department is still searching for the suspects.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.
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