Milwaukee police officers shot and killed an armed man after he led them on a dangerous pursuit and then refused “several commands to drop the gun,” according to MPD.
Under the law, officers may use lethal force if they reasonably believe that they or another are in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at approximately 4:49 p.m., Milwaukee Police Department officers “conducted a traffic stop on Fond du Lac Avenue and W. Locust Street for a registration violation. The suspect initially stopped; however, during the encounter the suspect drove off. A vehicle pursuit ensued for reckless driving. During the pursuit, the passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot,” MPD wrote in a news release.
“The vehicle pursuit ended when the suspect exited his vehicle on the 9800 block of West Lisbon Avenue and fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, the officers observed the suspect with a gun. Officers gave the suspect several commands to drop the gun. The suspect refused to drop the gun, at which time officers discharged their firearms subsequently striking the suspect. The suspect’s firearm was recovered,” release states.
“The suspect, a 38-year old male, was transported to a local hospital and ultimately succumbed to his injuries. We continue to seek the known passenger.”
In a news conference, Chief Jeffrey Norman also gave out the details above. The officers are ages 46 and 40, according to Norman, and have years of experience. The Brookfield police department is the lead investigatory agency, said Norman. He said he had reviewed body cam video in the shooting.
He described the pursuit as “lengthy.”
“We do know the suspect was in possession of a firearm,” Norman added.
“We do know the suspect still had the firearm as the individual was being pursued by the officers,” said Norman.
“The driver is the individual who was shot and died later,” he added.
