Deputy identified; sheriff says gun found in vehicle
The man shot by a Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputy Sunday at the lakefront is on life support, and what is promised to be a long investigation into the shooting is just beginning, Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. said Monday.
A man and a woman were wounded when the deputy, who was on foot, fired several times into the Audi SUV as it fled from a sheriff’s vehicle on N. Lincoln Memorial Drive on a bustling, steamy early summer night. The chase began following a traffic infraction, the sheriff said.
Clarke identified the shooting victims as Terry Williams, 19, and Paula McEwen, 23. McEwen suffered a wound to her shoulder and is expected to survive.
A third person, a man, was in the back seat, according to video on Facebook. Clarke did not mention that man during a brief news conference.
The sheriff said a loaded 9mm handgun was found in the vehicle. He did not indicate where the weapon was found or whether it was brandished by Williams or anyone else in the vehicle during the pursuit.
Clarke identified the deputy who fired into the vehicle as Michael Truax, 32, hired in August. He was put on administrative leave, standard in such cases.
Clarke and Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson held the news conference and took no questions. The Waukesha County agency is handling the investigation. State law requires outside investigation of officer-involved shootings.
“We are in the early phases of that investigation and I have no intention of discussing aspects of that investigation,” Severson said, adding his department would like to hear from witnesses. He asked them to call (262) 548-7142.
Clarke asked the public to be pa-
tient as investigators interview witnesses and review video.
“These are painstaking investigations,” he said.
Milwaukee police are investigating whether the occupants of the vehicle were involved in “any other recent incidents,” a spokesman said.
The pursuit began about 7:40 p.m. after Williams reportedly failed to obey a sign. Williams was heading north on N. Lincoln Memorial Drive near E. Water Tower Road, according to sheriff’s officials and video.
A sheriff’s vehicle initiated a stop because of a traffic infraction. Video posted on Facebook shows Williams did not stop but rather pulled the Audi onto the median. Truax, who was assigned to foot duty on the lakefront Sunday, was on the median and fired into the Audi several times, the video shows. It is unclear from the video if the SUV was traveling directly toward the deputy.
After Truax fired into the Audi, the vehicle swerved back into the road and struck another car before it stopped. Deputies surrounded the Audi, ordering people in the vehicle out at gunpoint.
Friends and family members of Williams and McEwen circulated well wishes and prayers on Facebook Monday. The mother of the woman shot declined to talk about what happened and hung up when contacted by a reporter.
The shooting occurred at one of Milwaukee’s signature locations and was concerning to some leaders.
“This cannot happen again,” said County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman, whose district includes the lakefront. “We have a whole summer to go. People want to enjoy our lakefront.”
Wasserman said he wants more information before deciding if steps need to be taken.
County Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde was alarmed the chase was initiated at all.
“Like my constituents, I want answers,” he said, adding that Clarke should release his office’s policy on when it will conduct a pursuit.
Beach-goers at the lakefront Monday said the shooting was concerning but it won’t keep them away from the city’s jewel.
Yaminah Powell, 16, of Greendale was in the Bradford Beach area less than two hours before the incident Sunday and she was back at the beach Monday.
“It’s just crazy. You don’t think those things would happen until it actually happens,” she said.
Shawn Lane, 36, father to 2year-old Anaya and 5-year-old Amiya, said Milwaukee has been getting more reckless.
“There’s no time for stuff like that. There’s no good time for violence,” Lane said. “Bullets that got no names — everybody loses.”
Omar Shaikh, president of the group that operates beach volleyball and food stands, said he believes the area is safe.
“This certainly is an isolated incident,” Shaikh said. “Bradford Beach is a safe place to come. I bring my family here all the time.”
Shaikh said he knows of no plans to upgrade security. At his news conference, Clarke did not answer questions about increasing security at the lakefront following the incident.
Monday evening, about 50 people concerned about the shooting attended a gathering at the Northpoint custard stand organized by Uplifting Black Liberation And Community.
Lead organizer Markasa Tucker said the group wanted to be at the site in case anyone involved in the incident was there.
“We wanted to make sure that we were here to support them,” Tucker said.
The lakefront has been the scene of sporadic disturbances over the years, including fights, cruising and drug use. The most serious recent incident was in 2015 when 14-yearold Tariq Akbar was shot to death after the Fourth of July fireworks.
Lane believes the police will continue to do their job and keep people safe.
“It makes me want to just hug and kiss my kids at night and tell them I love them,” he said.
“This cannot happen again. We have a whole summer to go. People want to enjoy our lakefront.” SHELDON WASSERMAN MILWAUKEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR