Milwaukee, WI

When Teddy Roosevelt survived a shooting and assassination attempt in Milwaukee

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

Press Room

When Teddy Roosevelt survived a shooting and assassination attempt in Milwaukee

A former Republican president making a bid to return to the White House is shot while campaigning — and survives.

But that assassination attempt happened in Milwaukee in 1912.

And, if it hadn’t been for a copy of a long-winded speech and a spectacle case, it might be more than a footnote to history.

On Oct. 14, 1912, Teddy Roosevelt was making a run for the White House as the candidate for the Progressive Party, after failing to get the Republican Party’s nomination. He came to Milwaukee to speak to a packed Milwaukee Auditorium (now Miller High Life Theatre).

On his way out of the Gilpatrick Hotel (now the site of the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee), Roosevelt was shot by a disgruntled New Yorker named John Schrank, who had been stalking the former president to stop him from getting a third term.

The bullet hit Roosevelt in the chest, but it was slowed by the contents of his pocket: a metal spectacles case and a copy of his very-long speech. (The Hyatt has a display marking the event in its entrance off King Drive.)

Roosevelt managed to make his speech and, in a bit of bravado, used his bloodied shirt and tattered speech as a symbol of his resilience.

From a Northwoods fishing hole to a Milwaukee diner, here are some Wisconsin spots presidents have visited

As Gerard Helferich recounts in his history of the incident, “Theodore Roosevelt and the Assassin” (Lyons Press), the shooting happened in Milwaukee, but only because Schrank had bungled several previous attempts as he followed Roosevelt around the country.

Schrank was ruled insane after he pleaded guilty to the shooting. (He had told anyone who would listen that his chief inspiration was a dream in which President William McKinley, assassinated in 1901 and succeeded by Roosevelt, told him that Roosevelt was behind his murder.)

But while Schrank shared the concern of a number of Americans about a president serving a third term — breaking the precedent set down by George Washington — investigators failed to tie the shooter to any larger conspiracy.

Schrank spent the rest of his life — 31 years — in Wisconsin mental prisons. According to Helferich, he didn’t have a single visitor in all that time, and died in obscurity.

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Milwaukee, WI

Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

Published

2 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

MILWAUKEE — An Oak Creek couple’s stolen car has been found after a viewer who saw a report on the theft spotted it near a south side Milwaukee apartment complex.

Melinna Posey said the ordeal began when her car was stolen and she turned to social media for help. A person who responded claimed to have the vehicle and demanded money for its return. The person messaging even taunted her, discarding some of the items inside the car.

Personal items were inside the vehicle, including the family’s car seat, stroller, cameras and photos.

“It’s been very stressful, especially for him. It’s his vehicle, it’s in his name,” Posey said.

Watch: Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

I spoke to Posey on Tuesday. Since then, she and Tyler Dusenberry had been searching for the car. On Thursday, the couple received a message from someone who saw the story on TMJ4. That person found the car at a south side Milwaukee apartment complex and shared pictures of the red Dodge Durango SRT between trees and a building, covered in tarps.

“I didn’t believe the text message at first today, and then he sent pictures of the car, and I was like, thank the lord, I was like thank you so much,” Posey said.

“It’s a roller coaster that’s what it’s been,” Dusenberry said.

Brendyn Jones/TMJ4

Oak Creek Police picked up the car and are processing it for evidence. The family has not yet been able to see the inside of the vehicle or what, if anything, was left behind.

The family said they are grateful to everyone who helped them this week, but said the entire experience will be tough to get over.

“It’s just unfortunate that this all happened, and we had a lot of memories and trips within that vehicle so it’s just a little life-changing to be honest,” Dusenberry said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Milwaukee, WI

$95,000 worth of Milwaukee tools stolen in Plover

Published

12 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

,000 worth of Milwaukee tools stolen in Plover

PLOVER, Wis. (WBAY) – Police in the western part of the state are spreading the word after someone stole over $95,000 worth of Milwaukee-brand tools. Police are concerned that they’ll be sold online or sold outside the state.

Milwaukee-brand tools were stolen from a trailer at a solar farm in Plover.

Police say there were 130 items, including more than 40 half-inch impact guns, multiple wire cutters, grease guns, 80 batteries, and a couple of small generators.

Investigators are warning that buyers who purchase stolen items can have them seized and could lose their money or even face criminal charges if they knew the property was stolen.

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