19-Year-Old Woman Charged with Aiding Suspect in Killing of Milwaukee Officer Kendall Corder

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – A 19-year-old woman has been arrested and charged after allegedly helping the man accused of fatally shooting a Milwaukee police officer evade law enforcement, according to court documents and statements from city officials.

The woman, identified as Jermela Kittler, is facing serious legal consequences after authorities say she knowingly harbored 22-year-old Tremaine Jones, the man accused of killing Officer Kendall Corder during a deadly ambush-style attack.

The tragic incident occurred as Officer Corder responded to a call for service in what appeared to be a routine situation that quickly turned deadly. Officials say Jones ambushed the officer in cold blood, fatally shooting him before fleeing the scene. The killing has sent shockwaves through the Milwaukee community and ignited an intense manhunt to bring the suspect to justice.

According to investigators, Kittler provided critical assistance to the alleged killer by allowing him to hide out at her residence in the days following the shooting. Prosecutors say she was fully aware of the charges against Jones and his role in the officer’s death, yet chose to obstruct justice by harboring him.

Milwaukee Police Chief Brian Norman addressed the charges in a statement Friday, expressing his disappointment over the young woman’s alleged actions.

“This is a betrayal not only to law enforcement, but to the community,” said Chief Norman. “Helping a known murder suspect escape accountability puts every resident at risk.”

Court documents allege that Kittler went beyond simply providing shelter. She reportedly misled investigators when questioned about Jones’ whereabouts and attempted to hide evidence that could link him to the officer’s death. Authorities say her cooperation significantly delayed Jones’s arrest and disrupted the ongoing investigation.

Jones, who has a criminal history including prior gun and assault charges, was eventually located and taken into custody following a coordinated effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement. He now faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree intentional homicide of a law enforcement officer, a crime that carries the potential for life imprisonment without parole.

Kittler, meanwhile, has been charged with harboring or aiding a felon, obstruction, and being party to a crime. She is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail pending her first court appearance. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek a high bond, citing the seriousness of her alleged actions and the danger she posed to the public by aiding a violent fugitive.

Officer Corder, remembered as a dedicated public servant with three years on the force, had recently become engaged and was described by colleagues as a “protector with a heart of gold.” His death has left the Milwaukee Police Department and community in mourning, with vigils and memorials already underway across the city.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson called the incident “a heartbreaking reminder of the risks our officers face daily,” and urged the public to stand with law enforcement in the pursuit of justice.

“Anyone who stands in the way of justice, whether by action or silence, will be held accountable,” Johnson stated. “We must never allow those who harm our protectors to find refuge.”

The case remains under investigation as authorities look into whether others may have assisted Jones before or after the killing. Both Kittler and Jones are expected to appear in court in the coming days.