Incident Type: Charging Update
Incident Dates: 9/29/21 & 10/5/21
Release Date: 4/8/22
Incident number: FP21-17954
Prepared By: Lt. Edward Hartwick
Details:
Last week, a 28 year-old-man was charged in Dane County Circuit Court following an investigation into a September 2021 shots fired incident. Alexander Jefferson-Cooper was charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, criminal damage to property, and intimidation of a victim with the threat of force. On March 9, 2022, Jefferson-Cooper was also charged federally with possession of a firearm as a felon.
The investigation began following a citizen’s report of damage to their vehicle on September 29, 2021. Officers determined the car and an apartment building had been struck by gunfire in the 2300 block of Post Road. Investigators identified Jefferson-Cooper as a suspect, and on October 5, 2021, a search warrant was executed at a townhome on North Alpine Parkway in the Village of Oregon.
In addition to Jefferson-Cooper, Zendel Rolack, 25, was also taken into custody. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections wanted both men for violations of their extended supervision, and Rolack had an extraditable warrant through Minnesota.
During the search of the residence, multiple firearms and narcotics were seized. The guns led to the March 9 federal grand jury indictment of Jefferson-Cooper and Rolack for felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the new charges, both Jefferson-Cooper and Rolack had their extended supervision revoked by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
The Fitchburg Police Department was assisted by multiple law enforcement agencies during this investigation including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Madison Police Department, the Village of Oregon Police Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.
ORIGINAL RELEASES
Incident Type: Search Warrant/Arrest
Incident Date: 10/5/21
Release Date: 10/8/21
Incident number: FP21-17954
Prepared By: Lt. Edward Hartwick
Details:
On Tuesday night, personnel from the Fitchburg Police Department, with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant in the 200 block of North Alpine Parkway in the Village of Oregon. Last Wednesday, Fitchburg officers responded to an incident on the 2300 block of Post Road where a vehicle and the building were struck by gunfire. Investigators worked over the week to develop leads that led them to an address on North Alpine Parkway.
Early Tuesday evening, law enforcement personnel began restricting access to the area surrounding the residence on North Alpine Parkway. Around 7:30 p.m., the Dane County Tactical Response Team and the Madison SWAT Team approached the residence. A short time later, two men exited the townhome and were taken into custody without incident.
Alexander Jefferson-Cooper, 28, and Zendel Rolack, 24, were booked into the Dane County Jail on warrants issued through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for violations of their extended supervision. Rolack also had an extraditable felony warrant issued in Minnesota. Inside the residence, investigators located several firearms and narcotics. The investigation into the original shots fired incident from September 29 is continuing and charges have yet to be referred.
Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional details are currently available for public release. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now assisting the Fitchburg Police Department with this case. Additional updates may be released at a later date. The Village of Oregon Police Department also assisted with this incident.
The Fitchburg Police Department remains committed to thoroughly investigating acts of violence and threats to public safety in our community. We recognize the neighborhood’s concern related to a significant law enforcement presence Tuesday night. The goal of utilizing additional and specialized resources in this situation was to resolve a situation peacefully with minimal impact on the community. We appreciate the patience of those who encountered road closures while law enforcement personnel were on-scene.
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Incident Type: Shots Fired
Incident Date: 9/29/21
Release Date: 9/29/21
Incident number: FP21-17954
Prepared By: Lt. Edward Hartwick
Details:
On Wednesday, September 29, 2021, around 8:45 a.m., Fitchburg Police Officers responded to an apartment complex parking lot in the 2300 block of Post Road for a report of property damage. Investigating officers learned the caller’s car had sustained damage from several bullet holes. At least one round also struck the 24-unit apartment building. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.
Investigators believe the incident likely occurred a few hours before the initial call, Wednesday morning between 1:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. No calls were received regarding the gunshots at the time they likely occurred. The investigation has revealed that the unoccupied vehicle was the intended target of the shooter.
No suspect information or description is available for release. This investigation remains open and active. No arrests have been made, and no further information is available for release at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Fitchburg Police Department at (608)270-4300. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608)266-6014 or by visiting P3Tips.com