Waukesha police kill man during vehicle theft investigation

WAUKESHA, Wis. —

Waukesha police shot and killed a 50-year-old man during an investigation into a vehicle theft.

Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said officers responded to the CarMax on Kossow Road near Bluemound Road around 2:30 a.m. for reports of a vehicle theft in progress.

When officers arrived, the police chief said the suspect did not respond to officers’ commands.

“During the interaction, the suspect made overt actions that were consistent with an individual drawing a firearm, which posed an immediate danger to the life of the officers, ” Thompson said. “Fearing for their safety, officers attempted to gain control of the situation using verbal commands and non-lethal force options. In response to an imminent threat posed by the suspect, the officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect.”

The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Thompson said that it was later determined the 50-year-old male suspect did not possess a firearm.

The four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave per department policy.

“Anytime there’s a loss of life it’s a sad day,” Thompson said during a news conference after the shooting. “But I also want to say that when officers are forced into situations where they have to use deadly force it’s very traumatic and very impactful to them as well. So my thoughts go out to the officers involved and the family of the suspect. The whole incident is a tragic incident and unnecessary. If the suspect would have complied this would not happen.”

Waukesha police say Bluemound Road near Kossow Road will likely be closed for several more hours during the investigation.