Crime
Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder Dies from Injuries Sustained in Ambush Shooting
MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder, 32, has died from injuries sustained in a shooting that occurred while he was responding to a shots fired call Thursday night on the city’s north side. His death was confirmed by family members.
Officer Corder was one of two officers ambushed during the incident, which unfolded around 9 p.m. on June 26 near 25th and Garfield.
According to Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) officials, the officers were responding to a report of a suspect with a weapon when the call escalated to “shots fired” while they were en route.
As the officers exited their squad vehicle in an alley, they were immediately and unexpectedly fired upon. They did not have the opportunity to return fire, leading Milwaukee Police Association President Alexander Ayala to describe the incident as an “ambush.”
Both officers were rushed to Froedtert Hospital, a Level I trauma center.
Officer Corder suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to his upper arm and chest, with at least one bullet striking his heart, causing critical internal trauma. He succumbed to his injuries days later.
The second officer, identified by family as 29-year-old Christopher McCray, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including gunshot wounds to his back and foot.
He was discharged from Froedtert Hospital on Saturday, June 28, and received a police escort home, where he will continue his recovery.
In a brief statement Saturday, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman addressed the public for the first time since the shooting, expressing sorrow over the loss and commending the courage of both officers.
Chief Norman emphasized the dangers law enforcement officers face and praised their bravery under fire.
The suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tremaine Jones, was taken into custody without incident around 2:15 a.m. on Friday.
As of now, no formal charges have been filed, but the Milwaukee Police Department’s Homicide Division is actively investigating the case.
This marks the fourth Milwaukee police officer shot in the line of duty in the past five months, and the third officer shot in just the last two weeks, highlighting a troubling rise in violence against law enforcement in the city.
The Milwaukee Police Association has released a statement mourning the loss of Officer Corder and urging the community to honor his service. “He made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while protecting others,” the statement read. “We will remember his commitment, courage, and dedication to keeping Milwaukee safe.”
Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact MPD or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.