The Milwaukee Police Department released a dashcam video that shows an off-duty firearms training instructor for MPD defending himself from a violent attack.
Social media raged with misinformation regarding the shooting, which occurred along the side of the road. However, the video shows what Wisconsin Right Now reported that it would – Elijah Wilks struck the officer in the face with a firearm before pointing a gun at him and firing. The officer then shot and killed Wilks, in what looks like a clear-cut act of self-defense.
Wilks’ family previously stated, after reviewing the same video, that they believe the shooting was justified. They called for the video to be released.
“The vantage point and resolution of the official dashcam video answers every question,” said the family attorney B’Ivory LaMarr in an Oct. 13 news release. “The Wilks family has seen the truth for themselves. Now they want the public to see it too. They are choosing truth over rumor — transparency over division.”
See the video here:
State Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk, a former police sergeant who is trained in use of force, offered his frame-by-frame analysis of the dashcam video. He is the co-founder of Wisconsin Right Now. He wrote:
1) As with most police related shootings, this thing went from zero to 100 in a split second.
2) I’m very impressed by how fast the officer was able to go from being struck in the face and slightly dazed to drawing his firearm, firing, taking cover, and issuing commands.
3) Not that it matters, but Wilks clearly drew on the officer first. (see freeze-frame)
4) I think Wilks fired first, as you can see his gun recoil, and the subsequent spent cartridge casing going through the air, just prior to the officer firing his gun. (see freeze-frame)
5) At least one of the officer’s rounds struck the light pole in the median. Thankfully, at that moment, no cars were passing by, but moments later, cars and a school bus drove by. It’s a miracle no one else was injured or worse in this. (see freeze-frame)
6) Again, I’ll say it, thank God he had a dash camera. This officer would have been put through hell and back, considering the false rumors, information, ‘witnesses’, etc., circulating through the community. There is an important lesson here. Will the media and community take a step back next time before rushing to judgment? I won’t hold my breath.
On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at approximately 8:25 a.m., “an off-duty Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) officer was involved in a minor vehicle accident on the 4800 block of West Mill Road while on his way into work. Both drivers pulled over and exited their vehicles. As they were assessing the accident, the driver of the other vehicle approached the off-duty officer and produced a firearm,” MPD wrote.
“That subject proceeded to strike the off-duty officer in the face with his firearm. The off-duty officer drew his department-issued firearm. The two individuals exchanged gun fire and the subject was struck,” MPD continued.
“The subject, a 26-year-old male, was pronounced deceased at the scene. No one else was struck by gunfire. The officer was conveyed to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during this incident. The officer that discharged his duty weapon during this incident is a 40-year-old male with over 21 years of service. The officer was placed on administrative duty as is routine in officer involved shooting investigations.”
