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Mayfair Mall Shooting: 15-Year-Old Suspect Arrested, 8 People Injured

Michelle Maternowski
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WUWM
The scene at Mayfair Mall on Friday.

Updated Monday 6:18 p.m. CST

The Wauwatosa Police Department is releasing additional details about the investigation into the shooting at Mayfair Mall on Friday. Eight people were injured, and a 15-year-old Hispanic teen was taken into custody Saturday night.

On Monday, WPD said the suspected shooter was arrested in Milwaukee after a traffic stop. The suspected weapon allegedly was recovered in the vehicle. A passenger also was arrested in connection with the shooting. A third person believed to be involved in the shooting has been taken into custody. No one has been charged, but WPD investigators are working with the district attorney’s office regarding charging.

Police say an altercation between two groups led to the shooting. It’s unknown whether the altercation occurred at the mall. WPD says it’s unknown whether the incident was gang-related.

According to police, the suspected shooter was able to leave the mall by running outside with a group of people who fled when they heard shots fired.

WPD says, “There will be additional police presence at Mayfair Mall in the upcoming weeks for both an added sense of security as well as routine patrols for an increase in holiday shoppers.”

Most of the eight people injured have been released from the hospital. Names are not being made public at this time.

Original Story

Credit Susan Bence / WUWM
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WUWM
Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber speaks at a press conference following a shooting at Mayfair Mall Friday.

Police are looking for a white male suspect in his 20s or 30s after seven adults and one teenager were injured in a shooting at Mayfair Mall Friday, according to Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber. 

In a statement, the police department said officers were called to the northwest entrance of Macy's at about 2:50 p.m. Friday. When police arrived, the shooter was no longer on the scene.

As of 9:30 p.m., Wauwatosa police said in a tweetthat authorities still had not identified or arrested the suspect. But in the latest update, the department offered its first explanation of what may have led to the shooting.

“Preliminary investigation has led us to believe that this shooting was not a random act, and was the result of an altercation,” said police, who added that the mall was now cleared and secure.

Authorities said the mall will be closed Saturday and investigators will remain there overnight.

Credit Michelle Maternowski / WUWM
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WUWM
There was a large police presence at Mayfair Mall Friday afternoon.

Law enforcement from "numerous agencies" were called in to help clear the mall Friday, according to Wauwatosa Police. Heavily armed FBI personnel were also spotted at the mall.

Credit Susan Bence
Jill Wooley was doing some holiday shopping with her 79-year-old mom in Macy's at Mayfair Mall when they heard the first shot nearby.  Wooley says they dropped to the ground and were able to find shelter in a nearby stairwell.

On Friday, Weber said people looking to reunite with family members who were in the mall at the time of the shooting should go to the At Home store at 3201 N. Mayfair Road, which was being used as a reunification area. 

The Mayfair Mall was the site of a February shooting in which a city police officer, Joseph Mensah, shot and killed Alvin Cole, a Black 17-year-old. Police said Cole was fleeing from police; Mensah, who is also Black, said he shot Cole because Cole pointed a gun at him. The mall was the target of sporadic protests over several months in the wake of the shooting.

The Milwaukee County district attorney declined to file charges against Mensah, but the city this week agreed to a separation agreement in which Mensah will be paid at least $130,000 to leave the force.

Emily is WUWM's education reporter and a news editor.
LaToya was a reporter with WUWM from 2006 to 2021.
Susan is WUWM's environmental reporter.
Ann-Elise is WUWM's news director.
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