Story Created:
Aug 20, 2008
Story Updated:
Aug 21, 2008
Raw Video: Task Force Searches For 35th and Clarke Shooter
Charles Benson
Katie DeLong
MILWAUKEE – A breaking news update from Milwaukee’s north side: shots were fired at police officers near 35th and Clarke Wednesday afternoon.
Bullets even hit someone’s house!
No one was hurt, but the search is on for the gunman. Wednesday afternoon, police were going door to door in the 35th and Clarke neighborhood, looking for information.
Every night, the Neighborhood Task Force moves around the city of Milwaukee, trying to reduce crime in high crime areas. Wednesday night’s task: find the person who shot at officers Wednesday afternoon.
Radio Transmission: “We’ve got about 30 people out here.”
Within minutes of starting their patrol Wednesday night, NTF officers Mick Chemlick and Bill Esqueda were called to a large street fight.
Radio Transmission: “What’s their problem over there?”
It would be the beginning of another busy summer night.
“Someone called in shots fired, probably to get us here a little quicker,” Officer Chemlick said.
TODAY’S TMJ4’s Charles Benson: “Is this a typical situation for you when you get into one of these hot situations?”
“Definitely,” Officer Chemlick said.
The officers were working the neighborhood near 35th and Clarke after shots were fired at police officers Wednesday afternoon. The shooter is still on the loose.
Wednesday night, at 40th and Clarke, NTF officers pulled over a car that ran a stop sign. They’re hoping situations like these will lead them to the shooter.
“Did you hear about a shooting today?” the officers asked the driver.
For Chemlick and his partner, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.
“First thing I’m going to ask anybody out here right now is if they know anything about people shooting at police. You just never know,” Officer Chemlick said.
Charles Benson: “Give me a sense of the advantages of the NTF to make streets safer.”
“Well the advantage is saturation of one area with 40 officers,” Officer Chemlick said.
Wednesday afternoon’s situation involved shots fired at officers who were apparently responding to another call near 34th and Clarke.
The bullets went through a woman’s window near 33rd and Clarke. That woman was not hurt.
An eyewitness named Mark was near the scene when the shots were fired and talked with TODAY’S TMJ4’s Charles Benson Wednesday afternoon.
“I heard the officers, I think, wrapping up another call, and the next thing I know, I heard gunshots. I think they were aimed at the officers,” Mark said.
Mark said he sees police in the area nearly daily.
Captain James Harpole and Chief Edward Flynn were also on the scene Wednesday afternoon and Chief Flynn held a news conference shortly after the incident.
Click on the link under related content to see the news conference.
If you have any information about Wednesday’s incident, you’re asked to call police.