Trending Topics

BWC: Wis. officer fatally shoots suspect while clinging to fleeing tow truck

Video shows the Milwaukee officer ordering the man to exit the truck; he refused and drove away at a high rate of speed as the officer attempted to remove him

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee police officer fatally shot a suspect after the man drove off in a tow truck while the officer was clinging to the vehicle, the department stated.

The March 12 incident began when police officers and a Department of Corrections agent were attempting to locate a wanted suspect with a parole violation, police said.

| TACTICAL ANALYSIS: Officer dragged in vehicle struggle highlights critical decision points

Body camera shows the officer approaching the suspect, who was seated in a flatbed tow truck with a passenger, and ordering him to exit. The suspect refused, and when the officer attempted to remove him, the man drove away at a high rate of speed.

The officer held onto the driver’s side of the truck as it traveled several blocks, repeatedly ordering the suspect to stop and warning he would use his firearm. When the suspect continued driving, the officer fired, striking the driver and bringing the vehicle to a stop.

| WEBINAR: How agencies operationalize real-time policing

The suspect, a 35-year-old man, died from his injuries, according to the department. The passenger was not injured but was taken for medical evaluation.

The officer was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and placed on administrative duty. The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is handling the investigation, led by the West Allis Police Department.

Trending
The updated pursuit policy adopted in 2019 generally restricts pursuits to violent crimes or exigent circumstances “that warrant the need to apprehend the suspect in a timely manner”
A Kansas City police officer and a Clay County deputy helped pull the man away from the truck, which later exploded
“We had questions, too,” the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department posted alongside a photo of the “vehicle,” which appeared to be powered by two electric scooters
The police department currently employs 78 officers, which is 10 short of the authorized number serving all seven campuses in the state
Company News
Celebrating 500 years of iconic design

Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com