Update: 12:17 p.m.
Read the following full statement from Milwaukee Police:
On Monday, June 22, 2020, Milwaukee Police responded to a residence located on the 2100 block of North 40th Street to check for a missing 13 year old female and a missing 15 year old female. The officers searched the residence multiple times; however, the teenagers were not located at the location.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at approximately 10:00 am, officers were dispatched to a trouble with subject call at the same location and were notified that individuals attempted to enter the residence to conduct their own missing check. Officers searched the residence again; however, the teenagers were once again not located at the location.
An hour later, at approximately 11:00 am, officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation at the same house on the 2100 block of North 40th Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered that shots were exchanged between the residents of the home and the group of individuals who were attempting to enter the residence.
While officers were on scene, the crowd continued to grow and individuals began to throw bricks and pieces of concrete at officers, which resulted in two officers being injured. Due to the large crowd and their unruly behavior, the officers who were at the location requested back up. Prior to additional officers arriving at the scene, the crowd surrounded the rear of the residence and set a couch, a vehicle and a residence on fire.
Milwaukee Police had to escort members of the Milwaukee Fire Department to the scene in order for them to be able to safely extinguish the fire. As a result of responding to this incident, one member of the Milwaukee Fire Department sustained a non-life threatening injury and was transported to a local hospital.
During this incident several shots were fired by individuals in the crowd and three individuals sustained non-life threatening gunshot injuries. The victims of those non-fatal shootings were taken to a local hospital for treatment where they are expected to survive. A total of ten officers sustained injuries.
Later in the evening, the crowd returned and reignited the fire to the residence. Officers intervened; however, three officers were injured by individuals who were in the crowd who struck them with bricks.
The Milwaukee Police Department can confirm that both missing teenagers have been located and are with their families. At no point did the missing teenagers qualify under the state guidelines for an Amber Alert.
MPD interviewed both teenagers who denied going to or being at the residence and denied meeting or knowing anyone who lived at that residence. There is also no evidence to substantiate that human trafficking occurred at that location.
The preliminary investigation revealed that no information has been provided to MPD to suggest that the teenagers were at the residence that was set on fire or that any foul play occurred at that location.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. MPD is currently seeking several suspects who are wanted in connection to the arson that occurred at the location as well as the suspects who were involved in the shots fired and shooting incidents.
If anyone has any information regarding this incident they are asked to call Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360 or Milwaukee Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS for a cash reward.
Update 5 a.m.
Seven Milwaukee police officers and one Milwaukee firefighter are recovering from non-life threatening injuries, after a dangerous scene near 40th and Lloyd Tuesday.
A home and vehicle were set on fire by protesters who believed the home was connected to local sex trafficking and two teenagers who had been kidnapped.
Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales told reporters “right now there is no information to provide that to be factual.”
An investigation continues.
Watch the full press conference below.
Update 6:41 p.m.
Milwaukee Police say they were called four a double shooting near 41st St. and W. Lloyd St. for a report of shots fired just before 5:30 p.m.
Investigators say a 14-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl sustained non-life threatening injuries and walked to a hospital for treatment.
Police are still looking for suspects.
It’s unclear if both events are connected.
Original Story
A house on Milwaukee’s north side has suffered major damage after demonstrators allegedly set the home and a vehicle on fire.
The house caught fire at about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday near the corner of North 40th and West Lloyd Streets in Milwaukee.
The tense situation began at about 4 p.m. Demonstrators had been seen throwing items toward one of the homes.
Rebecca Klopf of TMJ4 News reports that children had been taken from the area.
Klopf tells WTMJ people in the neighborhood believe there were crimes committed inside the home that had been ignored by police.
More than a dozen police officers were surrounding the home and had been seen patrolling the area on neighboring blocks.
There was no initial confirmation for the reason police were on scene, or if there were any injuries or arrests.
Check back for more details on this breaking story as they come in to us.
