MILWAUKEE — Multiple teens are injured after a police pursuit and subsequent officer-involved shooting on I-43 on Thursday afternoon.

Milwaukee Police Department's (MPD) police chief Jeffrey Norman said at 2:23 p.m., officers attempted to conduct a felony stop at N 17th and W Vliet Streets. The vehicle was believed to be connected to an attempted armed carjacking that occurred in the 500 block of N Broadway Street. Norman said the vehicle was also wanted in connection to an armed robbery carjacking that occurred in the 500 block of N Jefferson Street. Norman said the carjacking victims are “physically” OK at this time.

A police pursuit then ensued.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle moved into a construction lane on I-43 near W Vienna Ave. Norman said the vehicle was blocked by construction and a cement truck. Norman said several construction workers were working in that space at the time.

Norman said officers approached the vehicle and told those in the vehicle to stop and exit the car. The driver reversed the vehicle and subsequently struck a marked police car.

The driver then drove forward and reversed again. An officer was behind the vehicle when this happened. Norman said he does not believe that officer was injured, but stressed that the investigation was “fluid.”

This is when another MPD officer shot his firearm and struck two suspects in the car. The 25-year-old officer has over four years of service with MPD. He has been placed on administrative duty, per policy.

It is unknown at this time if anyone in the car fired a gun, Norman said.

Norman said six suspects were in the vehicle. All of them were 18 or younger.

An 18-year-old female from Milwaukee has life-threatening injuries. The female suspect was pregnant and the unborn baby did not survive. A 17-year-old Milwaukee male has serious injuries. Both are being treated at a local hospital and sustained gunshot wounds. 

The four other suspects include a 15-year-old female, a 16-year-old male, a 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old female. Those four suspects were taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

Norman said no other injuries or deaths have been reported.

In a press release, MPD said all six suspects who were in the car have been arrested.

Norman said police recovered a firearm from the vehicle, which was stolen. Norman said there are multiple suspects and officials are working to identify all of them.

“We all need to come together in working with our kids to ensure that they’re not involved in negative behaviors,” Norman said. “This is a challenge … Unfortunately, we have dealt with some unfortunate carjackings in our community. This is unacceptable. There’s no reason why all these particular young people are in possession of firearms. There’s no reason we have individuals involved in behaviors such as this.”

Norman called on families in the community to be engaged and involved with their kids. He said parents and guardians should know what their kids are doing.

“If our young ones are left with their own devices to be engaged or do things out there, they will find their ways to be engaged. It’s not always gonna be nice. We need to lean in to giving them productive spaces, productive activities. Otherwise, they’ll find what they want to do and we’re not gonna be happy with those behaviors,” Norman said.

“Our kids, they need us. They’re crying for us,” he added.

Norman said “policing the community” is everyone’s responsibility. He said MPD’s job is to enforce the law and hold people accountable.

“Lets understand this: It’s our responsibility to police ourselves,” Norman said. “… It’s more than just us. Don’t put that all on us. Understand we’re out there doing what we need to do.” 

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is investigating the incident. The West Allis Police Department will lead the law enforcement investigation into the incident. Norman said this is a fluid and ongoing investigation.

Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) said lanes were expected to be closed for at least another two hours. 

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said a full freeway closure was underway on I-43 on Thursday. Lanes in both directions from Capitol Drive to Locust Street were closed for an investigation of the incident. 

MCSO said its only involvement is freeway management, per MPD’s request. There has been a heavy law enforcement presence on the highway since the incident occurred, resulting in major traffic delays. WisDOT estimated delays of two hours.