Wauwatosa attempted armed robbery, shooting; man in serious condition

WAUWATOSA, Wis. – A 39-year-old man is in serious condition after being shot during an attempted armed robbery in Wauwatosa early Friday morning, July 26. The victim was pumping gas when the suspects attempted to steal his vehicle.

According to police, around 3 a.m. a Wauwatosa officer heard gunshots in the area of Mayfair and Capitol and saw a white sedan driving rapidly away from the area.

That officer initiated a vehicle pursuit that ended in a minor crash with a street sign at N. 110 Street and W. Congress Street. Multiple people ran from the vehicle.

At the same time, Wauwatosa’s 911 center received a call from an individual who reported that he had just been shot at a gas station near Mayfair and Capitol. He further reported that five suspects confronted him while he was pumping gas, and attempted to steal his vehicle. At least one of those suspects was armed.

The victim told police he was also carrying a firearm, and there was an exchange of gunfire. The suspects got into a vehicle, and fled the scene.

The 39-year-old shooting victim was treated for gunshot wounds and taken to the hospital by the Wauwatosa Fire Department. He is in serious condition. It is unknown if any of the suspects were struck by gunfire, police say.

Wauwatosa police officers, with the assistance of officers from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Brookfield Police Department, and West Allis Police Department, searched the area for the suspects who ran from the vehicle, which had been reported stolen to the Milwaukee Police Department on July 24.

One individual believed to have fled from the vehicle was taken into custody. He has been identified as an 18-year-old Milwaukee man.

The Wauwatosa Police Department says they are working to verify that the vehicle that officers pursued is related to the robbery and shooting incident. They are also seeking witnesses and evidence from both crime scenes.