WAUWATOSA, Wis. (NewsNation Now) — The Wauwatosa Police Department announced Sunday the arrest of a 15-year-old male in connection with the shooting at a Wisconsin mall that left seven adults and a teenager injured.
Wauwatosa Police Barry Chief Weber said in a statement a firearm was recovered at the scene of the teen’s arrest. Weber said he didn’t release photos because the investigation is ongoing.
The chief offered few details about the arrest but said it was made after the 15-year-old left the mall after Friday’s shooting. A Wauwatosa Police Department spokeswoman said he was arrested Saturday night following the execution of search warrants.
Eight victims are injured, including one teenager, but none of their injuries appeared to be life threatening when they were transported for treatment, though police say the extent of their injuries is not currently known.
Wauwatosa Police said the dispatchers received the first 911 calls reporting the shooting at the mall near the entrance to Macy’s around 2:50 p.m. When emergency personnel arrived, the shooter was no longer at the scene.
Officials said in a Friday evening press conference the identity of the shooter remains unknown. Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber said the shooter was described as a white male in his 20s or 30s.
Weber gave a news briefing at approximately 5:50 p.m. CST; after that briefing, NewsNation correspondent Michael Shure asked him how many people were still in the mall, as bystanders were still hiding inside. Weber confirmed people were still inside; he did not have an exact total, but said it was a significant amount.
Police later tweeted law enforcement personnel continue to clear the mall and assist those still inside with safe exit.
At least 75 officers initially responded to the scene. The FBI and the Milwaukee Field office of the ATF responded to the incident as well.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers tweeted, “Our hearts go out to those who were injured in the shooting at Mayfair Mall today. Kathy and I are thinking of them and their families and wish them a full and speedy recovery.”
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul also took to Twitter:
“It’s awful that another community in Wisconsin is suffering after a mass shooting. I wish the victims a full recovery, and I’m thinking of them and their families. Thank you to the the first responders who responded and the officers working the investigation at Mayfair Mall.”
Mall owner Brookfield Properties said in a statement they were “disheartened and angered that our guests and tenants were subject to this violent incident today.”
Mayfair Mall posted the following statement:
We are disheartened and angered that our guests and tenants were subject to this violent incident today. We are thankful for our partners at the Wauwatosa Police Department and we are cooperating with them as their investigation develops. Mayfair is closed at this time.
Mayfair Mall
Macy’s provided this statement to NewsNation:
“We are saddened about the incident tonight at Mayfair Mall, as the safety of Macy’s customers and employees is our top priority. We are working closely with the Wauwatosa Police Department and local officials on this investigation and defer all comments about the case to local authorities per policy.“
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 $130,00 to leave the force.
Stay with NewsNation on WGN America; correspondent Michael Shure will be reporting live updates from Wauwatosa Friday evening throughout the NewsNation broadcast.