Relatives and supporters of a woman wounded during a police shooting in Wauwatosa the night of Dec. 10 are raising more concerns about the city's police force.
Wauwatosa police say they responded to a report of a woman being attacked by another woman with a stick.
The 23-year-old female officer who went to the scene says the attacker had a wooden post and began hitting her squad car. Police say the officer was “forced to shoot the subject” when she advanced on the officer.
Relatives of the alleged attacker, who is recovering in a hospital, said her name is Nesha Jarrett.
Nesha's sister, Tiquesha Jarrett, said her sibling is a mom and a nurse, who has had mental health issues after recovering from COVID-19.
"I just want the Wauwatosa, and everywhere police have done injustice on people, to just look at what's going on, when someone cries out for help and [Nesha] got a shot,” said Jarrett during a news conference Tuesday outside Wauwatosa police headquarters.
Milwaukee community activist Vaun Mayes organized the event. Mayes said Nesha Jarrett was able to sign herself out of a mental health facility.
"Milwaukee County Mental Health Services — this case shows a glaring and concerning failure and process,” he said.
Mayes also criticized the Wauwatosa Police Department and the city's mayor Dennis McBride.
The police department did not respond to a request for comment.
During a Wauwatosa Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Mayor McBride read a statement in which he asked for patience and understanding:
“In a difficult year, the Wauwatosa community has experienced another difficult moment, which seems to have been touched off by a woman experiencing a mental health crisis. We are grieving for all those involved in this unfortunate incident, including the police officers and the woman who was shot. I ask for patience, understanding, and prayers while the West Allis Police Department, which is investigating the incident, sorts through the facts.”
Wauwatosa police say the officer involved in the shooting of Nesha Jarrett has been placed on paid administrative leave.
