As exciting as it was for the Milwaukee Bucks to win the team’s first NBA championship in half a century, the event that drew more than 100,000 people in and around the Deer District did not go off without a hitch.
Just before 9 p.m., dozens of fans barred from entering an at capacity Deer District broke through a security checkpoint on West Highland Avenue just North of Mader’s Restaurant. As fans bypassed metal detector wands and bag checks, a man was seen carrying what appeared to be a firearm in his waistband.
Milwaukee police officers subdued the suspect with the firearm from behind and took possession of the firearm in a struggle more than 50 yards past the security checkpoint. Another officer was seen clearing the chamber of the pistol, which did not appear to be loaded.
The suspect, a 21-year-old South Milwaukee man, was arrested, Milwaukee Police Sergeant Efrain Cornejo said in a statement.
Milwaukee Police also responded to a shooting in the 200 block of E. Juneau Ave. at about 12:40 a.m. Suspects fired shots that subsequently struck a 19-year-old Wauwatosa woman who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The victim did not appear to be the intended target and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, Cornejo said in a statement. An 18-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested in connection with the incident and the Milwaukee police continue to seek additional suspects related to the shooting.
Another shooting occurred at approximately 12:42 a.m. on the 200 block of E. Knapp Street. A 22-year-old Illinois man and a 32-year-old Milwaukee man both sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Both victims were transported to a local hospital. A 25-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested in connection to the incident and Milwaukee Police continue to seek additional suspects, Cornejo said in a statement.
Throughout the game, some of the fans who were kept out of the Deer District’s packed watch party broke fencing as they attempted to breach the security perimeter. Police officers called for backup and were seen zip-tying fencing that had broken from the force of the crowd.
Milwaukee police also arrested a 41-year-old Green Bay man who knocked over a metal barrier in the 400 block of W. Highland Avenue. A 33-year-old police officer was trampled by several fans as they breached the barrier. The officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Milwaukee Police Department deployed police officers on horseback to clear a crowd that had gathered at the south entrance to the Deer District on Vel R. Phillips Avenue. Several crowd members were also seen hopping the fence to get into the Deer District but were typically detained by police within seconds.
Two women were also arrested just outside of the Milwaukee Bucks Pro Shop on the east side of the Fiserv Forum after a fight broke out during the second quarter.
“Although the crowd was overwhelmingly positive and appropriate for such an exciting event, several individuals were ejected during the game,” Cornejo said in a statement. “MPD also made several arrests, and an officer was injured.”
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Click here for more photos of the Milwaukee Bucks historic championship win in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns.
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- Moments after Milwaukee police arrest the man with the firearm who made it through the Deer District’s security perimeter. By Brandon Anderegg.
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- Police officers arrest a man who possessed what appeared to be a firearm. He was one of several people who breached the security perimeter on West Highland Avenue, bypassing metal detectors and bag checking. Photo by Brandon Anderegg.
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- Milwaukee Police officers on horseback make their way to the Deer District’s south entrance on Vel R. Phillips Avenue. Photo by Brandon Anderegg.
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- Milwaukee Police officers on horseback clear the crowd outside of Deer District’s south entrance on Vel R. Phillips Avenue. Photo by Brandon Anderegg.
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- Several officers on horseback clear the entrance on Vel R. Phillips Avenue, which was overflowing with fans wanting to enter an already at capacity Deer District. Photo by Brandon Anderegg.
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- A boy climbs a tree just outside of the security perimeter on Vel R. Phillips Avenue. Photo by Brandon Anderegg.
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- The security perimeter was broken by the force of the crowd just outside of Turner Hall on Vel R. Phillips Avenue.
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- Milwaukee Police Department officers use zip ties to fasten a fence that had been broken by fans who were unable to enter once the Deer District reached capacity. Photo by Brandon Anderegg.
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- Two women were arrested after a fight broke out just outside of the Bucks pro shop in the Deer District. Photo by Brandon Anderegg.
