Evan Casey
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah was physically assaulted outside of his home after a group of 50-60 people gathered there during a protest Saturday night, Wauwatosa police said.
An armed protester also fired a single shotgun round into the house.
According to a news release from Wauwatosa police:
The group of protesters began to vandalize his home around 8:05 p.m. Saturday.
"Officer Mensah attempted to establish a dialog with the group but was ultimately physically assaulted outside of his home."
"As Officer Mensah retreated into his home, armed protesters approached the rear door and a single shotgun round was discharged by a member of the group into Officer Mensah’s backdoor."
Several other departments were called to help disburse the crowd.
Investigators were still at the scene of the incident at 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Toilet paper could be seen hanging from the trees outside the home.
Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber said the investigation was ongoing Sunday morning.
Wauwatosa police also said they were "actively monitoring reported plans" for protests Sunday. A protest was planned inside Mayfair mall Saturday afternoon.
Mensah, who was suspended with pay in July by the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission, has shot and killed three people (Antonio Gonzales, Jay Anderson Jr. and Alvin Cole) in the last five years while in the line of duty.
The fatal shootings of Gonzales and Anderson were deemed justified self-defense by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. The shooting death of Cole on Feb. 2 is still under investigation.
Mensah's attorney, Jonathan Cermele, did not respond to a reporter's request to speak with Mensah Sunday morning.
Several protests over the shootings have taken place in Wauwatosa in recent weeks, many calling for the removal of Mensah from the police department
Protesters have shut down Mayfair mall, and clashed with police at The Cheesecake Factory, the location of the shooting death of Cole in February.
During a recent interview on WISN-AM (1130), Mensah said protesters came to his house several weeks ago.
Evan Casey can be reached at 414-403-4391 or evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.
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