SHOREWOOD, WI — July 3, 2025 – An early morning shooting has shaken the Village of Shorewood, Wisconsin, after a Shorewood police officer was shot while responding to an emergency call. The incident, which officials are now investigating as a targeted act of violence, unfolded just before 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, near the intersection of Bartlett and Kenmore Avenues.
Officer Ambushed While Responding to Shooting
According to Shorewood Police Chief Heather Wurth, officers were dispatched in response to a reported shooting in the area. As one of the responding squad cars approached the scene, it came under sudden gunfire from an unidentified assailant. At least two bullets struck the windshield of the squad vehicle, and another penetrated the passenger-side door.
Tragically, one officer was struck during the gunfire. Fortunately, the round was stopped by his bullet-resistant vest, preventing potentially fatal injuries. The officer was immediately transported to a local hospital as a precaution and has since been treated and released. Chief Wurth reported that he is in “good spirits” and recovering well.
Other Injuries and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities confirmed that two other individuals were injured during the initial shooting incident prior to police arrival. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office was called to the scene, though the status of the victims has not yet been publicly disclosed. Their identities and medical conditions remain unknown at this time.
As the shooting scene was secured, a wider tactical response was activated. Residents near Newhall and Wood Avenues were urged to shelter in place, with a significant police presence reported not only in Shorewood but also in nearby Milwaukee and Glendale. SWAT teams and tactical units swept through the neighborhood as the situation escalated into a multi-agency response.
Pursuit and Fatal Shootout in Glendale
Shortly after the initial incident, a high-speed vehicle pursuit involving the suspected shooter began. Law enforcement sources say the suspect fired multiple rounds at pursuing officers, including an exchange of gunfire at 4th Street and Reservoir Avenue in Milwaukee.
The chase ultimately ended near Port Washington and Hampton Avenues in Glendale, where officers from the Milwaukee Police Department and Glendale Police Department engaged the suspect in a final confrontation. Preliminary reports—still awaiting official confirmation—indicate that the suspect fired from inside the vehicle, prompting law enforcement to return fire.
According to initial, unconfirmed accounts, the suspect was shot and killed during the final exchange. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name or additional details pending official autopsy results and notification of next of kin.
Community and Law Enforcement Respond
Chief Wurth commended the swift and coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies involved in the day’s harrowing events, noting the bravery and professionalism of officers who risked their lives in pursuit of justice and public safety.
“This was a deliberate and violent attack against our officers and our community,” Wurth stated. “We are incredibly fortunate that the injured officer survived and is doing well. We will continue to support him, his family, and every first responder who answered the call.”
Local officials, including the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, have pledged a thorough and transparent investigation into both the initial shooting and the events that followed. Body camera footage, surveillance video, and forensic evidence are all being reviewed.
A Community Shaken
The Village of Shorewood, typically a quiet and close-knit community along the North Shore of Milwaukee, is now reeling from the reality of a brazen attack on law enforcement and civilians alike. Many residents awoke Thursday morning to flashing lights, blocked roads, and warnings to remain indoors.
Community leaders have called for unity and resilience, as well as patience while the investigation unfolds. Resources, including counseling services, are being made available to the injured officer, his family, and affected residents.
Ongoing Updates
The Shorewood Police Department, in collaboration with multiple regional agencies, is continuing its investigation. Anyone with information or footage related to the events on Bartlett and Kenmore Avenues, or who witnessed any part of the chase or subsequent shootout, is urged to contact local authorities.
More information will be made available following official confirmation of the suspect’s identity and the results of pending forensic examinations.
If you have tips or relevant video footage, contact the Shorewood Police Department or submit information through Crime Stoppers.
