Man Shot By Police in Stable Condition, Facing Felony Charge

A Waukesha man who was shot multiple times by Waukesha police early Sunday morning is alert and talking, according to a statement from police, and is expected to be charged with recklessly endangering safety.

At 1:48 a.m. Sunday, police received a call about a potentially suicidal 44-year-old man in the 500 block of Spring Crest Circle from an elderly couple. The man himself called police and told them he was holding a male hostage, and was armed with two knives.

When officers arrived, the man suddenly exited the home and charged officers while holding two knives and ignoring commands to drop the weapons.  Police say officers were forced to fire their weapons to subdue the man "in defense of their lives." According to an update released Monday, officers fired one less lethal round and 14 rounds from handguns and long guns.

The man underwent surgery for multiple non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Based on their initial investigation, all the officers acted within state, department, and training standards.

The investigation will be completed early this week, and police have referred a felony charge for first-degree reckless endangerment to the Waukesha County District Attorney’s office.

Three city of Waukesha police officers and two sheriff's deputies who were involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, which is routine in such shootings.

The officers involved from Waukesha are:

• A 27-year-old officer in his fifth year on the department
• A 27-year-old officer in his first year on the department
• A 24-year-old officer in her first year on the department

The Waukesha County deputies have 13 and 12 years of experience. 

Board supervisor's statement

Michael Crowley, a graduate of the Waukesha Citizens Police Academy and Waukesha County Supervisor for the 16th District, witnessed the shooting while on a ride-along. He issued a statement Monday on the shooting:

“I want to sincerely express that my thoughts and prayers are for the man who was shot.  Also, to his family and the two people he had held hostage.  His recovery is so important to me and to all those involved in the early Sunday morning situation."
 
“To the City of Waukesha Police Officers and Waukesha County Sheriff’s Deputies, my thoughts and prayers are with you, too.  You had to deal with such a traumatic experience.  They immediately attended to the man to save his life, again putting themselves at risk.  I witnessed their genuine concern for him.  I will never forget it."  
 
“I had the unique vantage point to observe their tactics and actions to address the call.  The Waukesha Police Officers and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Deputies teamwork and professionalism was outstanding.  They did what they had to do to protect themselves.   It was so unfortunate it had to end that way with him being shot as he did not obey any repeated commands.  But it was absolutely necessary for the officers to defend their own lives as he was waving the knife and running full speed toward us."  
 
“I have done many ride-alongs with the City of Waukesha Police Department.  Being a graduate of the Citizens Police Academy, the “ride along” is a unique opportunity to experience and observe what officers are faced with every day on the job and the risks that are inherent in law enforcement.”