Fearing suspect was reaching for weapon, Waukesha police shoot man who fled during traffic stop

A 55-year-old man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the leg by police while fleeing from officers during a traffic stop Monday night in Waukesha.

An investigation is underway, said Waukesha Police Chief Russell Jack.

According to a news release from the city of Waukesha Police Department, officers were attempting a traffic stop for a reckless vehicle at 6:49 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, in the 2100 block of Mac Arthur Road.

The vehicle then attempted to flee from officers in an apartment complex. The Oak Hill Terrace senior living center is nearby in the 1800 block of Kensington Drive.

The vehicle pursuit was restricted to the parking lots and adjacent roadways and lasted approximately five minutes.

Officers were told to use caution during the pursuit as the vehicle had possibly been involved in an armed robbery.

The suspect then fled from the vehicle and two officers pursued on foot.

Fearing the suspect was reaching for a weapon during the foot pursuit, Jack said one of the officers "was forced to shoot" the man to stop the threat.

The suspect was struck in the leg and the officers tended to him. The suspect was transported by the Waukesha Fire Department to Waukesha Memorial Hospital.

No officers or civilians were injured.

Jack said in the release the suspect was on active supervision through the Department of Corrections and is a felony offender. The man has an extensive history of arrests, including armed robbery, drug violations and many other violations extending back to 1982, Jack added.

The names of the suspect and the officers involved were not released. The officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team is leading the investigation in collaboration with the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office.