Carnage was unleashed in the Water Street Entertainment District in Milwaukee right before 2:15 a.m. on the fifth of July in the year 2026. Cops’ sirens filled the night as the scared people ran for their lives. Gunfire was reported coming from the parking lot near 1300 N. Edison St. As the cops were following an escaping black Audi S6 through the crowd, they filmed what happened next on body cameras.
The Milwaukee Police Department was called regarding a black Audi that was driving around in circles in a crowded parking lot during the Fourth of July crowd control. The witnesses informed the investigators that Hunter L. Meyer, an 18-year-old man from Rothschild, Wisconsin, was holding a gun and shooting at the crowd. “Officers heard numerous gunshots,” local reporting summarized from the criminal complaint.
It is claimed that he disobeyed the orders to stop and continued to drive at the officers, causing a 25 year old officer from the Milwaukee Police Department to fall down injuring her leg.
Three officers shot at the vehicle since it posed an imminent danger to their lives. Meyer continued driving, running a red light and crashed into a Toyota RAV4 one mile away along Fond du Lac Avenue. He fled from the scene, but was apprehended walking not far from the 1200 block of West Walnut Street. Meyer had gunshot injuries. Police recovered multiple firearms from the scene, including a Glock equipped with an illegal auto switch, along with shell casings and other evidence.
A female passenger later described events to police, and Meyer himself made statements during interviews, including claims about responding to a rival group confrontation.
Meyer has been charged with ten felonies. The crimes he was charged with include first degree recklessly endangering safety as a party to a crime with a dangerous weapon; other reckless endangerments; two hit-and-run offenses causing injury; four second-degree reckless endangers; concealment of a weapon; and fleeing/eluding an officer causing property damage.
Prosecutors say he could face up to 82 years and 3 months in prison and fines up to $205,000 if convicted on all counts. His bond was set at $200,000. These are allegations. Meyer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Released Milwaukee Police AXON body-camera footage from around 2:16–2:18 a.m. shows the chaotic scene with emergency lights, people running, and officers responding near the parking lot and crash site. The video aligns with witness accounts and police reports.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence in crowded urban areas during holiday celebrations, illegal firearm modifications like auto switches, and risks to officers on duty. It also raises questions about public safety at major events like Summerfest and Water Street nightlife. No fatalities occurred, but the officer, a crash victim, and Meyer required hospital treatment.
Meyer’s case has drawn national attention as it underscores challenges with youth violence, officer safety, and illegal guns in public spaces. Court proceedings continue.
