Milwaukee, WI — A community is in mourning and justice is in motion after a tragic and violent incident that claimed the life of a Milwaukee police officer and left another injured. 22-year-old Tremaine Jones has been formally charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and first-degree recklessly endangering safety, all involving the use of a dangerous weapon, in connection with the fatal shooting of Officer Kendall Corder and the wounding of his partner on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

According to a detailed criminal complaint, the events unfolded shortly after 9:10 p.m., when police responded to numerous 911 calls reporting a man firing what callers described as a “machine gun” into an apartment building in the area of 24th and Garfield. Upon arrival, Officer Corder and his fellow officer, both in full uniform and on active patrol, began searching the area and approached an alley near the building.

In what authorities are now calling a planned and calculated ambush, the officers were suddenly met with gunfire from nearby bushes. Officer Kendall Corder was struck three times and later succumbed to his injuries. His fellow officer was also shot, sustaining wounds to the foot, thigh, and back, but is expected to recover. The attack has been described as “brazen” and “deliberate” by city officials and law enforcement leaders.

At the scene, investigators recovered 16 spent rifle casings and a Palmetto State Armory PA-15 — an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle — which was traced back to Jones. He was located and arrested later that evening at a home on North 37th Street.

That residence was revealed to be the home of 19-year-old Jermela Kittler, who is now facing charges of harboring or aiding a felon. According to the complaint, Kittler knowingly helped Jones evade arrest in the hours following the deadly shootings.

Investigators say that after the ambush, Jones contacted Kittler and another woman to help him retrieve a backpack believed to contain the firearm used in the attack. Though they were unable to retrieve the bag due to an active police presence, Kittler later took an Uber with Jones to her home, where she concealed him as law enforcement canvassed the city in an urgent manhunt.

Kittler allegedly admitted during questioning that she knew law enforcement was looking for Jones and that he had committed a violent act. Despite this knowledge, she allowed him to hide in her residence and withheld his whereabouts from police.

Honoring Officer Kendall Corder

The loss of Officer Kendall Corder has sent shockwaves through the Milwaukee Police Department and the broader community. Described as a dedicated, courageous public servant, Officer Corder gave his life in the line of duty while attempting to protect the residents of Milwaukee from armed violence.

City officials, fellow officers, and grieving citizens have honored his memory with vigils, tributes, and heartfelt messages of support for his family and colleagues. His death underscores the dangerous and unpredictable nature of police work, and the ongoing challenges officers face on the front lines of public safety.

Legal Proceedings and Community Response

As the criminal proceedings move forward, Tremaine Jones remains in custody, and he could face life imprisonment if convicted. Jermela Kittler is also expected to face prosecution for her alleged role in helping a homicide suspect evade law enforcement.

District Attorney officials have made it clear that they intend to pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law, calling the shooting “a ruthless attack on peace officers and the community itself.”

The Milwaukee community, reeling from this tragedy, is left grappling with both grief and the urgent need for solutions to stem the rising tide of gun violence. Law enforcement leaders have called for unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice in the days ahead.

Anyone with further information about this case or related incidents is encouraged to contact Milwaukee Police Department or Crime Stoppers. Tips can be made anonymously.