OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An Oshkosh police officer was justified after shooting a man as he was driving at her, the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office says.
Officers were responding to a threats complaint in the Farmers Market parking lot on N. Main Street during the early morning hours of March 17.
The day prior on March 16, police received a complaint from a woman who reported a man hit her, took her money, car and phone and threatened her with further violence.
The suspect in this case had recently been released from prison and was on parole, investigators learned.
The suspect was believed to have taken the victim’s vehicle to the bars on N. Main Street. Officers were able to locate the unoccupied vehicle parked there and began surveillance.
Around 1:30 a.m., the suspect was seen returning the vehicle.
Police say one officer positioned their marked squad car directly behind the victim’s vehicle to prevent it from leaving. The suspect was sitting in the driver’s seat as the two officers approached the vehicle on each side. Both uniformed officers knocked on the car windows, attempting to make contact with the suspect. The suspect looked at the officer on the passenger side, then put the vehicle in reverse narrowly missing the second officer then backed into the marked patrol squad which was parked behind him.
Police say within seconds, the second officer was directly in front of the vehicle with no area of cover or other escape routes they could have maneuvered to. The suspect had his headlights on with the officer being in the driver’s expected field of vision. The officer observed the suspect looking at her and saw the suspect shift the vehicle into drive and accelerate the vehicle directly at her. Based on her proximity to the vehicle and the driver’s actions, the officer was afraid for her life. She discharged her service weapon and fired 2 rounds. The suspect was struck by one round, injuring him.
The suspect then struck a concrete light pole base and a parked vehicle, ultimately coming to a final resting position. Officers helped get the suspect out of the vehicle and began rendering medical treatment.
The suspect was taken to a hospital to be treated for his wound. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for an outstanding warrant for a parole violation. He is currently in the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility in Milwaukee, awaiting a parole violation hearing.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations conducted a complete investigation. Once they completed their investigation, they submitted their report to the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office who reviewed the investigation and evidence involved.
After review, the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office found that the suspect presented a significant risk to the life and safety of the officer at the time of the shooting and that the evidence was clear that the suspect drove the car towards the officer. This act reasonably put the officer in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm and her use of force was justified.
The District Attorney’s Office is still reviewing the evidence regarding pending criminal charges against the suspect.
Due to victim rights obligations, the name of the officer involved is not being released at this time. As with all cases where there are potential criminal charges, we are not releasing the suspects name at this time.
