Tremaine D. Jones, 22, Arrested in Ambush Shooting of Milwaukee Police Officers Kendall Corder and Christopher McCray; Charges Pending as Officer Corder Fights for His Life Following Critical Chest Injuries

The Milwaukee Police Department and wider Wisconsin community are reeling from a brutal ambush that left two officers critically wounded and one young suspect, 22-year-old Tremaine D. Jones, under arrest as authorities prepare to file felony charges. The violent encounter unfolded on Wednesday evening, June 26, 2025, during a Priority 1 response on the city’s Northside. Officers Kendall Corder, 32, and Christopher McCray, 29, both assigned to MPD’s District 2 in the Southside, were struck by gunfire while investigating a report of shots fired in the 2200 block of North 24th Street. According to law enforcement officials, both officers were ambushed immediately upon exiting their marked police vehicle.

Jones, a Milwaukee resident with no prior felony or misdemeanor convictions, was taken into custody without incident around 2:15 a.m. Friday. His arrest follows an intensive manhunt and investigation that unfolded over less than 48 hours. Jones is now facing impending criminal felony charges in connection with the shooting, although specific counts have not yet been formally filed.

The assault on the officers has sent shockwaves through the Milwaukee law enforcement community. Initial reports indicate that when Officers Corder and McCray arrived at the alley near N. 24th Place around 9:10 p.m., they were met with a barrage of gunfire. Neither officer had time to return fire. A disturbing video posted to YouTube by user QU ER II captured the chilling aftermath, with Officer McCray audibly calling for help and urgently radioing the location of the attack to dispatchers. That recording, timestamped around 9:30 p.m., has since circulated widely among community members and law enforcement advocates.

Both injured officers were rushed to Froedtert Hospital. Officer Corder sustained gunshot wounds to his upper arm and chest, one of which penetrated his thoracic cavity and struck near or into his heart. He underwent emergency surgery in an effort to repair extensive internal damage. Officer McCray was shot in the foot and back and is slated for surgery to address the foot injury. According to official reports and medical assessments, both men are expected to recover—though Corder’s prognosis has become the subject of growing concern.

On Friday night, a sobering update was posted to the “Back the Badge Wisconsin” Facebook page, administered by Kyle William Beckett. The post indicated that Officer Corder might not survive the weekend, citing conversations with officers present at Froedtert Hospital. Beckett wrote that Corder’s injuries included compromised blood vessels near the heart and that despite surgical efforts, the damage was extensive and life-threatening.

The pending charges against Jones mark a significant development in what authorities are now calling an intentional and premeditated attack on law enforcement. Milwaukee Police have not yet released details regarding motive, weapon type, or whether Jones had ties to other incidents or groups. However, the ambush-style shooting has intensified concerns about escalating violence against officers responding to emergency calls in urban neighborhoods—particularly in the context of rising ambivalence toward law enforcement in some communities.

The Milwaukee Police Association—referred to critically in some circles as “MAGA-infiltrated” for its perceived political leanings—issued a statement acknowledging the bravery of Officers Corder and McCray and decrying the nature of the attack. The Association did not comment on the current health status of either officer but reaffirmed its support for the families and colleagues impacted by the shooting.

While Milwaukee County court records confirm that Tremaine D. Jones had no prior criminal convictions, the intensity and sophistication of the attack have raised eyebrows among investigators. The ambush occurred with precise timing, suggesting prior surveillance or planning. That both officers were shot before being able to react points to the element of surprise—a hallmark of calculated assaults rather than spontaneous altercations.

Law enforcement sources say more information will be released once formal charges are filed, a process that may take place over the weekend. Jones remains in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail as detectives, forensic analysts, and district attorneys prepare the case against him.

The shooting underscores the unpredictable and dangerous nature of policing, particularly in moments when officers respond to high-priority calls in areas marked by recent gun violence. While officers are trained to be cautious during such calls, an ambush scenario—particularly one involving multiple rounds fired from concealment—can render even the most prepared officers vulnerable.

As Milwaukee braces for further developments, local officials and community members are urging unity and calm. A vigil is expected to be organized for Officers Corder and McCray, with supporters from across the city invited to gather in solidarity. At the same time, public attention is turning toward Froedtert Hospital, where the fate of Officer Corder remains uncertain. For now, the badge community waits—hoping that a devoted officer fighting for his life will pull through, and that justice for both victims will be secured through the courts.

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