REGIONAL BRIEFING
Name released of inmate who died at Milwaukee County Jail
A 35-year-old inmate who died a week ago at the Milwaukee County Jail has been identified as Jose Torres, authorities said Friday.
Torres’ name was withheld for a week. When pressed about his name Thursday, a Waukesha County Sheriff ’s Office spokeswoman told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that if the identity was available it would be released Friday.
The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death at the request of the Milwaukee County Sheriff ’s Office.
Torres — the sixth person to die at the facility in the past year and a half — was being housed in the jail’s mental health unit when a correctional officer reported him as unresponsive to jail medical staff shortly before 2 p.m. Oct. 27.
Medical staff called for an ambulance and began CPR on Torres when he stopped breathing, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead shortly after 3 p.m.
An autopsy was conducted by the Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office, but a non-disclosure order placed on the case prevents release of any information.
57-year-old motorcyclist killed in I-43 crash in Mequon
A 57-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash on I-43 early Friday, Ozaukee County authorities said.
The motorcyclist, Steven Kuether of Grafton, was heading south on I-43 near Pioneer Road in Mequon shortly before 7 a.m. when he crashed into a Jeep in front of him and was hit by the car behind him, according to an Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office news release.
The driver of the Jeep had braked because of merging slowdowns and a Chevrolet Volt hit Kuether from behind, the release stated.
Both drivers stayed at the scene to cooperate with the investigation and officials said they do not expect to issue any citations or charges in the crash.
Police seek help in identifying suspects in downtown shooting
Milwaukee police are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects wanted in a shooting about 2 a.m. Thursday in the 600 block of N. Broadway in downtown Milwaukee.
A 22-year-old woman suffered an injury that was not life-threatening in the shooting, which “occurred as the result of a dispute,” police said.
Police said one suspect is a Hispanic male in his late 20s to early 30s. He is about 5-foot-8 to 5-10 with a muscular build, dark hair and trimmed beard. He was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt with an American flag emblem, a light black coat and blue jeans. This suspect is believed to have shot the victim, police said.
The second man being sought is black and in his mid-30s. He is about 6-2 with a medium build, shoulderlength braids and a short goatee, police said. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, a dark shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360.
Walker signs legislation to crack down on fentanyl
posted fridayMADISON - Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill to combat the spread of synthetic versions of the deadly opioid fentanyl.
The GOP governor approved Assembly Bill 335 a day after lawmakers from both parties signed off on it. Supporters say it will make it harder for drug dealers to avoid prosecution by making slight changes to the chemical makeup of the drugs they sell.
“This law will help law enforcement crack down on the distribution, sale and use of certain types of fentanyl, which can be 50 times stronger than heroin,” Walker said in a statement.
Milwaukee has had 145 deaths from fentanyl in Milwaukee so far this year.