MILWAUKEE — Surveillance video obtained by TMJ4 shows the moment a confrontation over an attempted car break-in erupted in gunfire near 36th and Lakefield in Milwaukee.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning around 12:30 a.m. when a 23-year-old man confronted someone attempting to break into his car. The video shows the car owner shining a light on a vehicle parked behind his before gunshots rang out and the suspect's vehicle sped away.
Milwaukee police say thankfully no one was injured in the exchange.
What's concerning residents in the area is the apparent delay in police response. After speaking with several neighbors, TMJ4 learned many didn't see police investigating until approximately ten hours after the shooting occurred.
Watch: Surveillance video shows the moment a confrontation over an attempted car break-in erupted in gunfire
Wayne Hosking, who lives just down the road, was still asleep when he first learned about the police activity.
"I was still asleep, you know, my phone went off, and that's when I first saw it," Hosking said.
This timing aligns with Milwaukee Police Department call logs that show the first response to the neighborhood came at 10:14 in the morning.
"It was like, Oh, my God. It's like, it's not good," Hosking said.
While gunfire isn't common on his block, Hosking explained that constant fireworks in the area have created a troubling situation where residents struggle to distinguish between celebratory noises and potential danger.
"People are just numbed by the fireworks, and they're thinking that everything that they hear is fireworks. So you can't differentiate if it's a real gunshot or not," Hosking said.
Other neighbors TMJ4 spoke with described similar experiences, noting that fireworks have become an almost daily occurrence, especially during summer months.
Watch: Jackson Park neighbors, alders on delayed 911 response in early morning shooting
"I don't have that kind of ear that I can tell the difference besides what's going on," Hosking said.
Milwaukee police spent the afternoon investigating the scene and took the 23-year-old car owner into custody. When TMJ4 attempted to speak with him later about the situation, no one answered the door.
Following the shooting, Alders Peter Burgelis and JoCasta Zamarripa released a statement urging residents to contact 911 when they hear shots fired, acknowledging the lack of 911 calls in this situation.
As police continue searching for the other person involved in the incident, Hosking hopes people will reconsider their use of fireworks to prevent dangerous situations from escalating.
"I just wish that they would just rein it in. You know, use some common sense and be aware of other people," Hosking said.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Milwaukee Police Department at (414) 935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips.
This story was reported by Mike Beiermeister and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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