A Wisconsin mother is facing more than 20 criminal charges after prosecutors allege she shot a 12-year-old boy during a dispute over children selling bottled water at the same roadside location. Authorities say she later referred to herself as a “hero” in recorded jail phone calls, a claim a judge strongly rejected during her first court appearance.
Cosetta Burrell, 33, has been charged with 18 felony counts and four misdemeanor offenses, including reckless injury, child abuse, reckless endangerment, child neglect, and other related crimes stemming from the July 17 shooting.
Child Shot During Roadside Confrontation
According to a criminal complaint, the incident began after a dispute between children who were selling bottled water near an apartment complex in Milwaukee County.
Investigators said the 12-year-old victim regularly sold water bottles at a roadside median to earn extra money. A witness told detectives that another group of children, including Burrell’s son, had begun selling water and juice at the same location.
After learning about the competing group, the victim reportedly ran to the median, chased the other children away, and grabbed their cooler. The witness said the boy started damaging the cooler before being told to stop and return home. He later returned to the area with another child.
Prosecutors Say Burrell Opened Fire
Police allege Burrell drove to the location in a white Nissan Pathfinder after her son called to tell her that the victim had broken his cooler.
According to prosecutors, Burrell stopped the SUV, removed a handgun from the glove compartment, got out of the vehicle, and confronted the 12-year-old.
Investigators say she told the boy, “We going to do this.”
Burrell allegedly fired one shot, causing the boy to run. She then fired again, striking him in the leg.
Despite being wounded, the child managed to run through an alley and make it back home, where his parents immediately transported him to a hospital for treatment.
Witness Describes Multiple Shots
A witness who observed the confrontation told investigators that after a brief exchange between Burrell and the boy, she fired between five and six shots.
As she returned to the SUV, Burrell allegedly yelled, “I should’ve killed your a—!” before driving away.
The witness also reported seeing approximately five children sitting in the back of the SUV during the shooting.
Police Chase Ends With Arrest
Later that evening, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Milwaukee County Sheriff’s deputies located the white Nissan Pathfinder and attempted to stop it.
According to the criminal complaint, Burrell refused to pull over, ran a stop sign, and led officers on a pursuit lasting about 5.7 miles. Authorities said the chase reached speeds of approximately 83 mph.
Investigators also allege Burrell swerved the SUV toward a Milwaukee police officer who was deploying stop sticks in an effort to stop the fleeing vehicle.
Police eventually brought the pursuit to an end and arrested Burrell.
Children Were Inside During Pursuit
Authorities said Burrell’s four children and another male passenger remained inside the SUV throughout the chase.
When officers removed the children from the vehicle, investigators reported they were crying and visibly shaken.
Police also discovered that the Nissan Pathfinder had previously been reported stolen by one of Burrell’s friends.
Burrell’s Account to Investigators
After being taken into custody, Burrell agreed to speak with detectives.
According to prosecutors, she claimed the victim had been bullying her son over where he was selling water and juice. She said her son called her after his cooler was allegedly broken.
Burrell admitted she drove to confront the child while armed with a handgun she said belonged to her girlfriend.
She reportedly told investigators that she intended to “knock out” the 12-year-old but claimed she fired toward his feet because she was “trying to scare him, not kill him.”
When questioned about allegedly steering the SUV toward an officer during the pursuit, Burrell denied trying to hit the deputy.
Instead, prosecutors say she explained she was in “GTA mode,” comparing her driving to the popular Grand Theft Auto video game, and added, “Yeah, he was there, but, you know, I’m a good driver.”
Recorded Jail Calls Added to Case
Investigators also reviewed Burrell’s recorded jail phone calls.
According to the complaint, Burrell said during one conversation, “I should have just punched him.”
However, prosecutors say she also defended her actions, claiming she was simply helping her son and his friends “get their motherf—ing money.”
Burrell allegedly admitted she “had to get rid of s—,” which investigators believe referred to the firearm she is accused of throwing from the SUV after the shooting.
Police also said Burrell made additional statements criticizing the victim, saying:
“This ain’t your corner… I don’t know who the f— raised you, but they raised you wrong, didn’t raise you right. I’m finna show you right.”
During another recorded phone call, investigators say Burrell boasted that she was a “hero” and claimed “the entire community agrees.”
Judge Rejects ‘Hero’ Remark
At Burrell’s initial court appearance, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Commissioner Barry Phillips sharply criticized her alleged actions.
Addressing Burrell directly, the commissioner said:
“Nobody in the community, nobody in the hood, thinks that somebody that shoots a 12-year-old kid is a hero. You are not a hero. If you did this, you’re a zero.”
Multiple Charges Filed
Court records indicate Burrell has previous convictions involving child abuse.
She now faces 18 felony charges and four misdemeanor counts, including reckless injury, child abuse, reckless endangerment, child neglect, and additional offenses related to the shooting and subsequent police pursuit.
Burrell remains in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail on a $100,000 bond. She is scheduled to return to court on July 28 as the criminal proceedings continue.
