Mom not allowed to visit boy shot by cop

The family of a 15-year-old shot late last month by a Milwaukee police officer is calling for access to the teenager and answers from police.

Tamara Cole, the teen’s mother, was joined by family and friends at a news conference Wednesday outside Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa to express their concern about him — and the way police and hospital staff are handling the situation.

The teen has been hospitalized since he was shot April 24 by an officer. Police have said he was armed with a handgun.

Cole said she hasn’t been allowed to visit her son, Kevin, or speak to him.

“I don’t understand,” she said. “I don’t know where my baby is at. I shouldn’t have to go through this.”

Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said they have made multiple requests to visit or speak with the teen but have been repeatedly blocked from seeing him by police and hospital staff.

Gerry Steele, a spokeswoman for Children’s Hospital, said that patients in police custody are not allowed visitors but that officials can provide daily updates on the patients’ conditions to the family.

Milwaukee police said Wednesday they were following procedures for hospitalized prisoners but were working with the hospital “to facilitate contact between the patient and his mother.”

Family members have been told he is in stable condition but said they have not been able to help make medical decisions.

Police have said the teen was armed with a handgun when the shooting occurred just before 5 p.m. on April 24 in the 3700 block of N. 26th St.

The situation unfolded when officers were called to the 2600 block of W. Nash St. after a Shotspotter alert for gunfire, according to police. Shotspotter is a system of sensors that captures and verifies the sound of gunfire and pinpoints its location.