Man Shot By Officers, Deputies Was Swinging Knives at Police, Complaint Says

The 44-year-old Waukesha man who was shot by Waukesha police officers and Waukesha County deputies on April 21 told an investigator he did not intend to hurt a family friend he held hostage but wanted to “commit suicide by cop,” a criminal complaint filed Wednesday states.

Gibson P. Martin made the statement after being given his Miranda warning in the intensive care unit of Froedtert Hospital, where he received treatment for his wounds.

Martin was charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety and obstruction of an officer with use of a dangerous weapon. He faces up to six years and three months in prison if convicted. His bail was set at $50,000.

The felony charge relates to the reckless endangerment of the five officers/deputies and an elderly couple who were trying to help Martin.

Martin was suicidal on April 21 and earlier had threatened to jump off a bridge, according to the criminal complaint. Martin grabbed two knives and a 75-year-old man, a family friend, tried to stop him from hurting himself.

Martin called the Waukesha Police Department and told dispatchers he was holding the man hostage with knives, the complaint states.

Waukesha police officers arrived at the scene with shields and long guns and escorted an elderly woman to safety. The elderly man also walked toward the officers when Martin charged out of the garage toward officers, the complaint states.

Martin was slashing his arms in a violent motion in front of his body as he was charging at officers. They commanded him to stop, but he continued charging while swinging the knives, the complaint states.

A police sergeant on scene, who did not fire a shot, yelled “shoot him” at the officers as he believed Martin would either injure or kill the officers, the complaint states.

The officers fired at Martin when he continued to run at them swinging the knives. Two Waukesha police officers fired guns, as did the two Waukesha County deputies. A third Waukesha police officer fired a less-lethal shotgun in an attempt to stop Martin, the complaint states.

The three Waukesha police officers who were involved in the shooting have returned to work, according to Lt. Tom Wagner. The two deputies remain on administrative duty, according to Deputy Jennifer Wallschlaeger.