MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Court documents reveal more about the man killed in Thursday’s police chase that ended in a shooting.

Witness dash camera video shows a Milwaukee police officer holding onto a tow truck driven by 35-year-old Johnathan Otto as an MPD squad car followed behind. Otto was shot and killed after police say he refused to stop. 

Police say they were trying to stop Otto for a parole violation. He had been released from prison in 2023 on extended supervision. Court records also show Otto had a history of fleeing from police.

"It definitely didn't have to end like this. Definitely,” said Emily, Otto’s girlfriend who was the passenger in the tow truck.

Court documents show Otto's criminal history dates back to when he was 17. In 2007, he was charged with possession and distribution of marijuana. 

In 2008, felony bail jumping. In 2015, a criminal complaint says Otto stole three cars, a bike, a snow blower, and cash from a Walmart, and admitted to fleeing West Milwaukee police. In 2021, court records show he again ran from officers during a traffic stop.

"My son always ran. If you look at his record, he has a lot of fleeing and eluding,” said Tracy Broyld, Otto’s mom.

On Thursday morning, Otto fled from police again, but this time, it cost him his life.

"Johnathan isn't innocent, but this isn't for him to get shot or die,” said Emily.

Video shows an officer holding onto the tow truck Otto was driving near 14th and Rogers.

"He was really scared. In the moment, he was really scared,” said Emily.

Otto’s girlfriend, Emily, was in the passenger seat. Police say Otto refused to stop the truck, but Emily says that’s not true.

"He stopped twice for the officer to get off. I was begging the officer. I said, 'Please, I’m begging you, get off the tow truck. I will have Johnathan stop. Just please get off the tow truck.' He did not. He did not want to get off the tow truck at all,” said Emily.

Ana Rios

The chase ended near 15th and Grant, when the officer holding on fired his weapon. Otto was taken to a hospital where he died.

"Johnathan wasn't going more than 25 miles per hour, he was very scared. But this did not last more than four minutes before he took out his gun and shot him in the head,” said Emily.

Milwaukee police say this incident could have been prevented if Otto just pulled over.

“There is a time and place, when you have a disagreement with law enforcement, to be able to have your day in court. But court is not on these streets,” said MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman.

Otto’s family agrees his death could have been prevented, but for a different reason.

"You couldn't just jump off and let the patrol cars behind him continue to chase?” said Broyld.

Body camera video of the incident will be released in two weeks.