The family of an armed black man who was shot dead by an off-duty police officer has said the shooting was “justified” — while approving police video be rushed-released to “quell misinformation” and protests.
Elijah Wilks, 26, was fatally shot on Thursday, Oct. 9, after he caused a minor car accident with an unidentified Milwaukee police officer who was on his way to work, officials have said.
Newly released video shows Wilks walking up to the relaxed-looking 40-year-old plainclothes officer — then pulling out a gun and smacking him in the face with it.
As he backs off, Wilks then raises his handgun and points it straight at the cop — who then unloads his department-issued handgun in defense.
Wilks was declared dead at the scene while the officer — a 21-year veteran of the force — was taken to the hospital for just minor injuries, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
While the police department typically allows 15 days before releasing videos of officer-involved shootings to the public, Wilks’ family wanted it to be released as soon as possible to “quell misinformation.”
“We will acknowledge that we believe this officer-involved shooting was justified,” the family’s attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, said at a news conference.
“We acknowledge that (Wilks) made a bad decision yesterday and unfortunately it came with dire consequences,” he said, acknowledging the officer shot back “in accordance with his training.”
“The Wilks family has seen the truth for themselves. Now they want the public to see it too. They are choosing truth over rumor — transparency over division.”
Wilks’ aunt, Latrice Bell, said the family did not intend to file any lawsuits and was “at rest” with what the video showed.
“My nephew, he made a decision he should not have made and that’s just something we have to live with,” the aunt said.
Wilks’ family said he had been driving to his uncle’s funeral when he flipped, suggesting that could be why he acted violently and out of character.
The West Allis Police Department is leading the investigation into the shooting.
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