The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) has identified a man who was shot and killed by an on-duty police officer during a robbery on Tuesday afternoon.
The officer who shot him has been placed on administrative leave and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has begun an investigation.
The MPD have not released the name of the 19-year-old victim, pending contact with his family. The initial statement from the MPD said the young man was armed with a semi-automatic handgun that was recovered. The report said the officer shot the victim after he reached for a gun in his waistband during a struggle. The officer had begun chasing him because he was suspected of robbing two beer delivery trucks at gunpoint just 10 minutes earlier.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
The 30-year-old officer who shot him, a 12-year veteran of the force, has not yet been named.
State Rep. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, says the investigation into the shooting will likely face close public scrutiny because of the recent debate over a bill that would require an outside independent investigation of all police shooting.
“It’s an unfortunate situation any time the police department is involved in a shooting,” said Johnson. “It’s exceptionally difficult for those families, and the families deserve answers. And I believe the current process that we have is too complicated.”
Even if the proposal for changes in police-involved shootings passes the Legislature, it will not affect the current process in Milwaukee, as the bill exempts Milwaukee from the changes. Johnson said she will still vote for that bill, as she sees it as a step in the right direction.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
