MILWAUKEE — An off-duty Milwaukee police officer shot and killed a man during an altercation following a vehicle crash Thursday, according to police.
The crash happened near 49th and Mill Road while the off-duty officer was on his way to work.
Police said both drivers pulled over and exited their vehicles. As they were assessing the damage, the driver of the other vehicle allegedly approached the off-duty officer, pulled a firearm and struck the off-duty officer in the face with it.
According to police, the off-duty officer drew his department-issued firearm, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the two.
Watch: Milwaukee police provide update on deadly shooting involving off-duty officer
The man, a 26-year-old, was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. The off-duty officer was taken to the hospital for treatment. No one else was struck.
Family members on the scene, who identified the man as Elijah Wilks, described the situation differently.
"I want to know why did you kill him, why did you shoot him that many times, what was the reason," said Cardell Bonslater, Elijah's stepfather.
The officer is a 40-year-old male with more than 21 years of service. He will be placed on administrative duty, as is routine in an officer-involved shooting.
The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team will investigate the incident, with the West Allis Police Department serving as the lead agency.
Video related to the shooting will be released in accordance with standard operating procedure 575.
This is a fluid and ongoing investigation.
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