NewsLocal News

Actions

Jonathan Copeland charged in death of Milwaukee officer Michael Michalski

Posted at 6:20 PM, Jul 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-30 23:20:50-04

Milwaukee Police said Monday Jonathan Copeland Jr., the man accused of shooting and killing Milwaukee Police Officer Michael Michalski, has been formally charged. 

According to a criminal complaint, Copeland is charged with homicide, attempted homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon. 

If convicted he faces life in prison. 

Copeland allegedly shot and killed Michalski while officers were trying to execute a warrant for Copeland’s arrest for felony drug charges. 

Body camera caught the incident. The criminal complaint says Michalski rounded a corner and Copeland appeared to be hiding under a pile of clothing. 

Police say he ambushed Michalski and fatally shot him.

Officers chased Copeland through the house, and he fired at officers a second time. 

One officer saw Copeland throw his gun out the window. He threw his hands up and yelled not to shoot him. When the gun was found, it was empty. 

After his arrested police found text messages Copeland sent to his wife the same day as the shooting, saying he would shoot officers if they came into the house after him.

The wife had called police two days earlier saying Copeland threatened to shoot up her house. 

After he was arrested, Copeland allegedly told police about their guns, “I will take it off your waist and put one in the back of your head too.”