Yesterday afternoon, a man was shot outside of Michelangelo’s Coffee House on the 100 block of State Street.
Witnesses say that they heard multiple gunshots, sending pedestrians running past recently-strung holiday lights.
Police and emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, and the area just off the Capitol Square was cordoned off for about two and a half hours as police gathered evidence before the rain. The victim was conscious when taken out of the small coffee shop and taken to an area hospital where he received surgery. Madison Police say that the man is expected to survive.
The gunman escaped the scene, and as of 4:30 this afternoon is still at large. Police say that the man should be considered armed and dangerous, but that it was a targeted shooting and there is no current threat to the public.
Last night’s Badger game ended with a shelter in place order for fans in the Kohl Center, after police were given a tip of a suspicious person in the area by a Metro bus driver. After an unsuccessful search of the area, that order was lifted around 10:30 last night.
It was the second high-profile shooting in as many weeks, after a man was shot and killed near John Nolen Drive earlier this month. Madison police officials say that they have not found the suspected shooter, and have no updates on that incident at this time.
Earlier today, the Madison Police Department held a press conference to inform the public of everything they know as of today.
On top of providing updated information on the incident, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes took the time to remind everyone that, despite recent high profile shootings, Madison, and especially the area at the top of State Street, is safe.
“In 2021, we responded to 11 weapons incidents in (this area). Yesterday’s shooting incident was the first weapons incident this year,” Barnes says.
The Madison Police Department also says calls for service to the same area have been on the decline. While there were close to 100 calls in October of 2017 and 2019, this year they had under 40 calls.
Still, Barnes says that they will be increasing patrols around the area.
Cover photo courtesy: Nate Wegehaupt / WORT News Team
