Milwaukee police officer facing felony for firing gun toward homes, near school
A Milwaukee police officer has been charged with a felony for firing a gun near a school and toward homes three years ago.
Prosecutors say Vashaun Young fired a gun twice toward two homes while driving late at night through the 2300 block of West Burleigh Street on March 20, 2022. The 36-year-old man has been an officer for about five years and is on full suspension from the Milwaukee Police Department, according to a press release.
The gunfire occurred within 1,000 feet of the Nova High School at 2320 W. Burleigh St. and occurred while Young was off duty, according to prosecutors.
According to a criminal complaint:
The investigation began in March when a Milwaukee police detective reviewed an 11-second cellphone video which showed Young driving with a handgun in his hand. As Young drives, he fires the gun toward the two homes.
Prosecutors write he did not appear to be looking in the direction of his gun fire and, afterwards, began singing.
In an interview with investigators, Young confirmed he was the man in the video.
Police investigators also confirmed the shooting through Shotspotter, a controversial audio detection technology that triangulates where gunshots occur, and police dispatch records.
Young is charged with endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to 17 years and six months in prison and fined up to $25,000.
Young is scheduled for an initial court appearance on May 12.
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police officer charged with firing gun near school
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