Police are getting closer to identifying the alleged suspect in the killing of McKinley Middle School teacher Colin Byars, 24, but Kenosha Police Department Sgt. Eric Larsen downplayed reports from a Milwaukee TV station and posted online Wednesday suggesting an arrest is imminent.

“We anticipate, and we are confident, that we will make an arrest. We’re closer, but we’re not there yet,” Larsen told the Kenosha News Wednesday night.

He confirmed statements made earlier in the day by Kenosha Police Sgt. Hugh Rafferty saying the men they are looking for are known to police and could be affiliated with a street gang. However, Larsen said that won’t be certain until detectives working on the case gather more information and potential evidence linking one or more suspects to the confrontation that led to Byars’ death.

A popular special education teacher and wrestling coach at McKinley, Byars was slain early Saturday morning after being attacked by unidentified male assailants outside Big Shotz bar on the southwest corner of 30th Avenue and Roosevelt Road. According to police reports, Byars had apparently interceded on behalf of female friends allegedly accosted by the men. He suffered a fatal injury after being punched, knocked down and striking his head on a curb.

Byars and his friends had exited the bar shortly after it closed at 2 a.m. The alleged assailants appeared not to have been bar patrons and were not videotaped Saturday night inside the bar by security cameras, according to Larsen, who was uncertain whether the video footage shows the men outside the bar at the time of the attack.

Meanwhile, Larsen said detectives have been nearly overwhelmed with calls from possible witnesses offering tips in the case. He said the men police are seeking have “connections” to Kenosha, but he declined to say whether they are area residents.

“We’re getting calls every day, many calls each day. We’re following up every one. And we’re still encouraging people to call if they think they have information on the case,” Larsen said.

Anyone with information can call the Kenosha Police Department at 605-5200. People wishing to remain anonymous, but be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, can call Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at 656-7333.