Updated April 1
A man purported to be the brother of Acting Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson was arrested Tuesday in connection with a shooting incident that left a man injured in January, multiple sources confirmed. The arrest comes just days before Johnson stands for election to fill the remainder of former Mayor Tom Barrett's term.
Allen Addison, Jr., 37, was charged in absentia January 19th with first degree reckless injury through the use of a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with a shooting incident earlier in the month. The two felony charges carry a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison. An arrest warrant was issued, and Addison remained on the loose until Tuesday, when he was taken into custody.
Addison has an extensive criminal record that dates back 20 years and includes convictions for child abuse, domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse disorderly conduct, theft, bail jumping, and witness intimidation.
Neither Johnson's campaign nor the Mayor's office have yet responded to several calls and emails seeking comment on the incident and confirmation that Addison is indeed Johnson's brother.
Wisconsin Right Now obtained the criminal complaint against Addison, which revealed that "Milwaukee police officers responded to a Shotspotter report of eight possible gunshots coming from 3555 N. 11th St. Upon arriving, they heard screaming and saw a passenger door opening on a truck. They discovered the victim shot in the neck, arm, leg and back of his head. He survived."
Addison is not the first member of Johnson's family to face serious criminal charges in recent months. Johnson's 14-year-old nephew was charged in November with robbing and raping an 87-year-old woman at knifepoint as the woman returned a book to the Waukesha Public Library. The boy's name has not been publicly released because he is currently in juvenile court, but his mother identified him in a Facebook post after his arrest and said Johnson was the boy's "hero."
"I am saddened and troubled by this news," Johnson said in a news release following his nephew's arrest. "First and foremost, my heartfelt prayers go out to the victim and her family. No one should ever have to deal with what she is going through. I hope and pray for her full healing and recovery. If what is alleged is found to be true, the accused should absolutely be held accountable for these actions."
Johnson was sworn in as Milwaukee's Acting Mayor December 22nd, after former Mayor Tom Barrett was confirmed as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg. Johnson is running against former Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan in Tuesday's election to fill the remainder of Barrett's term, which expires in 2024.