News Summary
The family of Elijah Wilks has publicly acknowledged the justified shooting that led to his death by an off-duty Milwaukee police officer during a traffic confrontation. After reviewing dashboard camera footage, they confirmed Wilks brandished a firearm against the officer. The family expressed gratitude for the police department’s transparency and noted Wilks’ actions were uncharacteristic of him. Although they recognize the shooting was justified, concerns were raised about the medical aid Wilks received post-shooting. The West Allis Police Department is handling the investigation.
Milwaukee – The family of Elijah Wilks has publicly acknowledged the justified shooting that resulted in his death by an off-duty Milwaukee police officer. The incident occurred on October 9 at the intersection of 49th and Mill Road and involved an exchange of gunfire that left the 26-year-old dead.
After reviewing footage from the officer’s dashboard camera shortly after the incident, the family, represented by attorney B’Ivory Lamarr, confirmed that Wilks had brandished a firearm against the officer, specifically after a traffic confrontation. The video highlighted that Wilks had allegedly cut off the officer’s vehicle, leading to a minor collision. Following this, both parties exited their vehicles, leading to a physical altercation where Wilks struck the officer with his gun before shots were exchanged.
In a news conference, the family expressed their belief that the shooting was justified. They noted that Wilks’ actions during the confrontation were not reflective of his character, describing him as good-hearted and well-mannered. His mother met with Milwaukee police officials to further discuss the footage, indicating the family’s awareness that this incident was unusual compared to Wilks’ typical behavior.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman reinforced the family’s statement, explaining that Wilks attacked the officer, thus allowing the officer to shoot in self-defense. The family expressed their gratitude to the Milwaukee Police Department for their prompt transparency in sharing the video evidence, which they received within 24 hours, as opposed to the usual requirement of 48 hours.
Despite their recognition of the shooting as justified, Lamarr raised concerns regarding the immediate medical aid that Wilks received after being shot. The investigation into the incident is currently being handled by the West Allis Police Department. The officer involved, who has 21 years of service and is 40 years old, has been placed on administrative duty as per standard department protocol.
Prior to the tragic incident, Wilks was en route to his uncle’s funeral when the traffic altercation occurred. The family plans to hold a balloon release in his honor, recognizing both the grief of his loss and the tensions surrounding the aftermath of the shooting.
As of now, Lamarr has indicated that he does not foresee filing a lawsuit regarding the incident, understanding the tragic results stemming from Wilks’ actions. The rarity of the family’s support for the officer’s conduct amidst such a tragic event has been highlighted as a significant aspect of this situation, as it deviates from a typical response from families in similar cases.
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Additional Resources
- Fox6Now: Milwaukee Officer Shooting Video Release
- Jsonline: Family of Man Shot by Milwaukee Police Say It Was Justified
- WISN: Family of Fatal Milwaukee Police Shooting Justified
- Wikipedia: Police Brutality in the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
