RACINE, Wis. — A Racine Police Officer shot and killed an armed man after attempting to conduct a traffic stop for a firearms investigation near 12th and Schiller Friday afternoon, police say.
Racine Police Chief Maurice Robinson said during a press conference that around 1 p.m. the officer attempted a traffic stop with a search warrant for a felon in possession of a firearm.
Watch the press conference:
The chief said the man in the vehicle, armed with a firearm, got out of the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. The officer chased the suspect over a fence and a small hill, while the officer ordered the man to drop the weapon and comply with commands.
When the armed man refused, the Racine police officer opened fire, striking the suspect, the chief said. Responding officers attempted life-saving measures, but the suspect did not survive.
"The armed man refused all commands and took an action that resulted in the pursuing officer discharging his service weapon," according to RPD's statement.
Bruce Harrison recaps the shooting, response from residents:
Chief Robinson said they will not be identifying the suspect until they've been advised next of kin has been notified.
Through family, TMJ4 News was able to identify the man shot and killed. But his identity will be withheld until it's confirmed certain other family members have also been notified.
Officer body camera recorded the incident, the chief said.
The shooting led to a large response from police that stretched over several blocks, halting traffic.
Police say the city experienced a 49 percent increase in shots fired incidents and six gun homicides this year.
This search warrant was part of an effort to curb gun violence, according to the chief.
The state Department of Justice said in a statement the man was brought to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The officer was placed on administrative leave, per department policy.
DCI is leading this investigation and are assisted by the Wisconsin State Crime Lab and Wisconsin State Patrol.
Neighbors said they're saddened but not surprised to hear about more violence along 12th.
"Just feel like we living in our darkest days and moments," said Lisa Graves, who lives nearby on Center. "Been grieving a lot. It's hard to really explain, because once you hear about one death ... you grieving again about another death."
Graves said she knew that man who was killed. And that just last week she took a photo of him with his son.
"These are somebody kids, somebody father, brothers and sisters and aunties. People just want to live peacefully, and it's not happening in Racine at all," said Graves.
