Wausau Police: One Dead After Shooting with Police, State Investigators On-Scene

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) -- One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting Saturday on Wausau's northeast side.

The shooting was reported around 10:20 p.m. Saturday on the 700-block of Brown Street. The intersection of Brown Street and North 7th Street was immediately blocked off and remained closed to traffic at 8 a.m. Sunday.

State investigators from the Division of Criminal Investigation arrived in Wausau overnight to handle the investigation and will determine whether the police officer's use of force was justified-- a move required by state law to ensure transparency.

While Wausau police have confirmed to NewsChannel 7 that the shooting resulted in a death, investigators have not yet shared what called police to the apartment complex on Brown Street, or whether they had prior contact at the residence or with the individual involved.

Police also have not shared what led to the shooting, citing the early stages of the investigation and deferring questions to DCI. NewsChannel 7 has left messages for Johnny Koremenos, director of communications and public affairs for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

The executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, which represents law enforcement across the state, said members of the WPPA's field and legal staff are providing support and assisting with the investigation.

"Based upon our experience and the information available to us at this time, we are confident that the officer's use of force was justified," said Jim Palmer, in a statement released to NewsChannel 7.

The WPPA statement continues:

"First and foremost, our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic loss of life. As Wisconsin's largest law enforcement group, the WPPA has more experience in these sensitive incidents than any other organization or agency, and we not only appreciate how these cases impact the officers directly involved, but the communities they serve as well. As such, we look forward to assisting and cooperating in the independent and transparent investigation required by state law."

Palmer said WPPA will refrain from issuing any further details to protect the integrity of the outside investigation now underway.

Wausau Police Capt. Matt Barnes told NewsChannel 7 he expected more information would be released later Sunday morning. Police plan to hold a press conference to brief the media at 10 a.m.

Wausau Police, Wausau Fire/EMS and the Marathon County Sheriff's Office responded to the initial scene.