Armed robbery attempt ends with gunfire exchange in Wauwatosa, 1 person in serious condition

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 39-year-old Wauwatosa man is in serious condition at a local hospital after exchanging gunfire with suspects attempting to rob him of his vehicle at a gas station near Capitol and Mayfair Road.

Wauwatosa police reported that at around 3 a.m. on Friday, July 26, an officer heard gunshots near Mayfair and Capitol Drive. The officer saw a white sedan fleeing the scene and started a pursuit that ended with a minor crash at 108th and Congress.

A 911 call was received from a person who reported being shot at the gas station, according to police. The victim told officials that five suspects, one of whom was armed, confronted him while he was pumping gas and attempted to steal his car. An exchange of gunfire ensued, as the victim was reportedly also armed, and the suspects fled in their car. As the subsequent police pursuit ended in a crash, multiple people reportedly fled the car.

Officers from Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, city of Brookfield and West Allis police departments searched the area for suspects, and an 18-year-old Milwaukee man was taken into custody.

Beth, a Wauwatosa resident in the neighborhood, spoke to CBS 58 on Friday. Beth did not want to go on camera but shared that she was awoken by the car crashing into the street sign.

"Yeah, very scary because at that time I didn't really know what had happened. I didn't see the suspects. They were already scattered by the time I was awakened. So, it was very unnerving knowing that they were still running around, they could be hiding in my backyard for all I knew," Beth said. "Very sad that they chose to probably have a stolen gun, stolen car, and this keeps repeating itself."

The incident was also shocking to the gas station's regular customers, like Rudy Polk.

"You just got to be careful and watch your surroundings and stuff like that. It's just kind of sad that you can't go to the park, you can't get gas, you can't do anything," Polk said.

Police say the car involved had been reported stolen to MPD on Wednesday, July 24.

Wauwatosa police are asking the public to provide any information about the shooting and the additional at-large suspects by calling 414-471-8430.