A late-night street fight escalated into gunfire that left a Milwaukee police officer dead and another wounded, ending Friday with a jury convicting the 23-year-old man accused of opening fire with a rifle.
MILWAUKEE, WI – A Milwaukee County jury found Tremaine Jones guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the killing of Officer Kendall Corder, along with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and possession of a short-barreled rifle, authorities said. The verdict follows a trial detailing how a neighborhood dispute spiraled into a shooting that struck two officers responding to the scene.
Prosecutors said the violence began the night of June 26 in the area of North 25th Street and West Garfield Avenue, where two women were fighting over a relationship dispute. A man intervened with a firearm, prompting one of the women to call Jones.
What prosecutors say led to gunfire
“That’s what sets everything off,” Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Grant Huebner said. “Everything happens because of that.”
According to prosecutors, Jones arrived armed with a short-barreled rifle and began firing in the area. “He’s just firing off a round, pissed because there’s a guy in the apartment?” Huebner stated. Video shown in court captured Jones walking in the street holding a rifle and yelling, “What you want? Let’s do it!”
Multiple 911 calls were placed as people fled. Officers, including 32-year-old Corder, approached Jones in an alley area shortly afterward.
“13 of ’em at a guy who’s running away,” Huebner said, describing the gunfire. “He takes a pause, and he fires more.”
Officer shot and later dies
“The officers were both struck and not able to return fire,” the Milwaukee Police Department said. “Officer Corder was transported to Froedtert Hospital for treatment and later succumbed to his injuries.”
Corder’s partner, 29, was hospitalized and later released. Jones was arrested following the shooting.
During closing arguments, prosecutors referenced a jail phone call Jones made to his mother. “‘I’m there, I see two guys, and my reaction is my reaction.’ That’s not saying other people, that’s saying, ‘Mom, I’m sorry I just killed a cop,'” Huebner said. “Whether or not he knew they were cops didn’t matter. He severs a guy’s spine, almost severs another, and says, ‘Mom, it wasn’t intentional.'”
Authorities said Jones told his mother he believed the individuals were “two random people from the hood” and that he was scared.
“The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) recognizes what a difficult week this has been for our members who testified and were forced to relive the horror of the day we lost Officer Corder,” the department said after the verdict. “These members were brave and heroic on that day and we admire their courage during this trial. Our thoughts are with them and Officer Corder’s family at the conclusion of this case.”
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12 and faces a potential life sentence.
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