Man charged in fatal shooting of Milwaukee Officer Kendall Corder appears in court as trial opens
Case centers on June 2025 alley ambush that killed one officer and wounded another
A Milwaukee man charged with killing Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall I. Corder appeared in court Monday as the criminal case moved into a trial phase, marking the latest major proceeding in a prosecution that has drawn sustained public attention since the officer’s death in 2025.
Corder, 32, died on June 29, 2025, three days after he and his partner were shot while responding to a report of a person with a weapon in the area of North 25th Street and West Garfield Avenue. The second officer, later identified as Officer Christopher McCray, survived and was treated for gunshot injuries.
Charges filed against Tremaine Jones and the allegations described in court records
The defendant, Tremaine Deandre Jones, was arrested the day after the shooting and later charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with first-degree intentional homicide in Corder’s death. Prosecutors also charged Jones with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree recklessly endangering safety, each alleged to involve use of a dangerous weapon, in connection with the shooting of McCray and the risk posed during the incident.
In earlier proceedings, Jones entered a not guilty plea. Court filings describe the shooting as an ambush-style attack in an alley, alleging that the officers were fired upon as they approached the location while on duty and in uniform.
What is known about the incident timeline
June 26, 2025: Two Milwaukee police officers responded to a weapons-related call near 25th Street and Garfield Avenue and were shot in an alley.
June 27, 2025: A suspect was taken into custody.
June 29, 2025: Officer Corder died from his injuries.
July 2025: Charging documents were filed and preliminary-court testimony outlined the state’s initial evidence.
March 30, 2026: Trial proceedings were scheduled to begin, with court officials weighing logistics tied to anticipated public interest.
Trial logistics and what happens next
With the case now positioned for trial proceedings, the court has had to plan for heightened attendance and security typical of high-profile prosecutions involving the death of a law-enforcement officer. Court planning has included discussion of courtroom capacity and jury management to ensure the selection of an impartial panel and the orderly presentation of evidence.
The defendant is presumed innocent. The state must prove each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
The trial is expected to focus on forensic evidence, witness accounts, and the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, as well as whether the state can establish intent and identity beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense is expected to challenge the state’s evidence through cross-examination and its own witnesses and exhibits, as permitted under Wisconsin procedure.
If convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, Jones faces a potential life sentence under Wisconsin law, with the court determining eligibility for extended supervision.