MILWAUKEE — An off-duty Milwaukee police officer was shot on Thursday afternoon in Milwaukee's Third Ward near East Buffalo and North Water streets.
According to officials, at approximately 2 p.m. a suspect attempted to steal a vehicle with three children and their mother inside. The carjacking at the 200 block of E. Buffalo Street was unsuccessful.
After the suspect left the victim's car, the woman located and picked up a cell phone around her vehicle. She then entered a nearby Shake Shack on Water Street; she was approached by the suspect and the suspect attempted to rob her.
An off-duty officer identified himself as a police officer and intervened in the altercation, attempting to detain the suspect. The suspect fired at the officer, shooting him multiple times. The officer fired back. There is no indication the officer's bullets hit anyone, according to officials.
The suspect then fled the scene in a different vehicle. Officers saw the car on the 2700 block of W. State Street, and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver did not comply and there was a pursuit. The pursuit halted on the 3000 block of N. 30th Street. Officials said multiple suspects fled on foot. Two suspects, males ages 17 and 18, were arrested and are in custody, according to police.
Officials said the 37-year-old officer has been transported to Froedtert hospital and is in surgery. The officer is in stable condition and suffered life-threatening injuries. He has worked for the department for seven years.
Police confirmed all three children and their mother were unharmed.
Many area-businesses have closed for the evening.
The Milwaukee police department's homicide division is in charge of the ongoing investigation.
“He went into danger without hesitation. I’m absolutely proud of the men and women of the Milwaukee police department. Proud that we are able to be professional on and off duty," Jeffrey Norman, Milwaukee's police chief, said.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
Megan Marshall and Dan Molloy contributed to this report.
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