Suspects Criminally Charged in Connection to Explosives Thrown at Officers
MILWAUKEE, WI – On Saturday, July 10, 2021, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office issued criminal charges against five suspects that were arrested in connection to the reckless endangering safety of Milwaukee Police Department officers and possession of explosives.
On July, 5, 2021, at approximately 12:15 a.m., officers were standing on the median monitoring the downtown entertainment district on the 1200 block of N. Water Street. Suspects set and threw an explosive device towards officers. The device detonated causing injuries to officers and damaging a squad car. The detonation was so powerful that it deployed the squad car’s airbags. A 45-year-old male officer and a 40-year-old male officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to a local hospital. The officers were treated and released to recover at home. Five individuals were arrested in connection to this incident.
Gerrell Bufford was charged with two counts of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of a Dangerous Weapon – Party to a Crime and one count of Possession of Explosives for Unlawful Purpose – Party to a Crime. If convicted, he could face up to 47 years, 6 months in prison and could be fined up to $75,000.
Demetrius A. Powell was charged with five counts of Possession of Improvised Explosive Device. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and could be fined up to $50,000.
Derek M. Smith was charged with two counts of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of a Dangerous Weapon – Party to a Crime, one count of Possession of Explosives for Unlawful Purpose – Party to a Crime and one count of Damage of Property by Explosives. If convicted, he could face up to 87 years, 6 months in prison and could be fined up to $175,000.
Javaier D. Thompson was charged with two counts of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of a Dangerous Weapon – Party to a Crime, one count of Possession of Explosives for Unlawful Purpose – Party to a Crime. If convicted, he could face up to 47 years, 6 months in prison and could be fined up to $75,000.
Lawrence T. Turner was charged with one count of Possession of Improvised Explosive Device – Habitual Criminality Repeater. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and could be fined up to $10,000.
The Milwaukee Police Department wishes the officers a full and speedy recovery.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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