SHOREWOOD, Wis. — A tragic and chaotic series of events unfolded in Shorewood early Thursday morning, leaving a beloved woman dead, a police officer injured, and the suspect fatally shot after a high-speed pursuit and gunfire exchange.
According to Shorewood Police, officers responded around 2:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, to a shooting in the 2400 block of Bartlett Avenue near Wood Place. Upon arrival, they discovered 34-year-old Victoria Truss, a well-known and loved member of the community, shot outside her home. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
As police approached the area, the suspected gunman opened fire on a Shorewood officer, striking him while he was still seated in his squad car. The bullet hit the officer’s ballistic vest, sparing his life. Despite being fired upon, the officer did not return fire as the gunman sped away from the scene. Multiple bullet holes were visible in the squad car’s windshield.
The wounded officer was transported to a nearby hospital, treated for minor injuries, and later released. Shorewood Police Chief Heather Wurth expressed gratitude for the officer’s survival and voiced strong concern about the rising violence in the region.
“The risks our officers face are real and growing,” Chief Wurth said. “The violence we’re seeing in our communities — in Shorewood, in Milwaukee — and the targeting of law enforcement must end. Enough is enough.”
Police confirmed that the suspect was known to the victim, though no further details about their relationship have been released. A second individual was also reportedly shot during the incident, but their identity and condition have not been disclosed.
Residents in the neighborhood initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks, given the proximity to Independence Day.
“My wife and I woke up around 2:30 thinking we heard fireworks,” said John Klaus, who lives nearby. “But then the shots just kept going.”
Just before 9:30 a.m., the Wauwatosa Police Department located the suspect driving a black sedan. A pursuit ensued, during which the suspect fired at officers from his vehicle. The chase ended near Reservoir Avenue and Dr. William Finlayson Street in Milwaukee, where the suspect exited the vehicle and continued shooting at law enforcement. Officers returned fire, striking and killing the suspect at the scene. No officers were injured during the chase or the final exchange of gunfire.
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released. The number of officers who fired their weapons is also being reviewed, and those involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol following officer-involved shootings.
The entire incident remains under active investigation by multiple agencies, including Shorewood Police, Wauwatosa Police, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
As the community mourns the tragic loss of Victoria Truss, remembered for her kindness and bright spirit, they also express gratitude that no officers were critically harmed. The incident is a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement and the urgent need to address the rise in gun violence across the region.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact local authorities as the investigation continues.
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