Written by Erin
Milwaukee, WI. –In the midst of the heated health care controversy, one politician is brutally attacked–but not for reasons that you think. Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett was beaten with metal pipe on Saturday.
Reports today stated that the mayor, upon leaving the State Fair with his family, heard cries of a distress from a grandmother. It happened on the 8800 block of W. Orchard St. in West Allis. The woman was being attacked by a man who was later identified as Anthony J. Peters. Witnesses stated that Peters appeared to be intoxicated and may have been trying to gain access to his 1 year-old child who was in the care of the grandmother. The man was preventing the woman from calling the police. Mayor Barrett intervened. He called 911 and attempted to calm the situation but quickly became the target of the attacker’s rage. Barrett received several blows from the pipe including blows to the head and torso. The police arrived at the scene relatively quickly and, at that time, the suspect fled.
Anthony J. Peters was taken into custody today but has not been charged with the crime yet. He has a long criminal history which includes charges such as assault, disorderly conduct, carrying a concealed weapon and drug charges. Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said that Peters is “somebody the West Allis police department is familiar with as one of their local knuckle heads and last night was a total violent, and vicious thug…”
Barrett is hospitalized but in stable condition. His brother, John Barrett, held a brief press conference today. He said that his brother has “still got his good sense of humor”. He also issued the following statement: “We are extremely proud of Tom’s selflessness and his courage…we’re optimistic about his recovery and are grateful for your thoughts and prayers.”
Patrice Harris, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin State Fair also issued the following statement:
“The management of Wisconsin State Fair Park commends Mayor Barrett for his actions as a good Samaritan after his departure from Wisconsin State Fair last night…His efforts to aid a citizen’s cries for help should be praised and applauded.”
Tags: Brutal attack, Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee mayor, Wisconsin State Fair
A disturbing story, but a timely reminder that politicians are people too, with positive and negative attributes. I applaud the mayor’s selflessness and courage.
Well people from Wisconsin are good people (with the exception of Anthony J. Peters!).
Seriously, this is a refreshing story. The citizens of Milwaukee should be proud. Barrett acted without regard for his own safety and potentially kept a bad situation from getting worse.
Thanks for the feel good story.
I was wondering what injuries the Mayor sustained and I found this:
Wow, he was really brave. It could have been the end of him. Who knows what would have happened to the grandmother had the mayor not intervened?
Good for him and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Wow! What a guy…very impressive. Adding my wishes for a speedy recovery. He’s an excellent mayor.
That sounds like a bad day. Milwaukee should be very proud of him. I’m sure the grandmother was relieved to see someone coming to intervene. The chief of police’s “local knuckle head” comment was quite amusing. . . . . I hope this guy was ashamed of himself once he sobered up but somehow I doubt it.