Four Milwaukee men are facing a number of charges in connection to an investigation regarding gunshots fired at police officers on the city’s north side June 2, 2020.
Milwaukee County prosecutors charged the suspects with the following:
- Nathan Haynes: Possession of a firearm by an out-of-state felon and endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon for discharging a weapon within 100 yards of a building. He faces up to 10 years, 9 months in prison if found guilty of all charges.
- Willie Earl Pirtle Junior: Possession of a firearm by a felon, obstructing an officer, carrying a concealed weapon, and four counts of bail jumping. He faces up to 30 years, 3 months in prison if found guilty of all charges.
- Solomon Austin the Third: Possession of a firearm by a felon. He faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
- Donte L Gladney: Two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of endangering safety by pointing with a dangerous weapon. He faces up to 21 years, 6 months in prison if found guilty of all charges.
According to the criminal complaint, four Milwaukee Police officers responded to a shot-spotter report around the 2800 block of North 22nd Street around 9 p.m. There no evidence of gunfire was found.
The officers reportedly continued towards the area of North 20th Street and West Center Avenue, where they found a gathering of around 40 people and 15-20 vehicle at a gas station to remember the life of Jeffrey Dabney, who had worked there and was recently shot and killed. While driving by officers heard gunfire, which continued as they drove back to the gas station.
The officers reportedly approached the area by foot two houses away when one spotted a person firing five shots in their direction. That officer fired back, but no one was struck. Over 100 casings were recovered at the gas station.
Haynes was arrested after he matched the description of the suspect who fired the weapon in the officers’ direction. He reportedly denied firing a weapon at the gas station. Surveillance cameras from the gas station reportedly showed him with a firearm and firing multiple shots prior to his arrest.
Pirtle was arrested after reportedly leading officers on a short foot chase around 20th and Hadley. At one point Pirtle raised his handgun at an officer, but then returned it to a pocket without firing.
Austin was arrested after he was in a vehicle next to where the shooting occurred. Surveillance cameras from the gas station reportedly show him firing a gun in the air before placing it inside the vehicle.
Gladney was arrested after he reportedly tried to give a handgun to an elderly man who was sitting on a porch near the scene of the shooting.
Police say they are still searching for a fifth suspect wanted for firing shots at officers. Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact police at 414-935-7360 or Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at 414-224-8477 or the P3 Tips app.