Family, friends of man killed by Wauwatosa officer want answers

The vehicle Jay Anderson was shot in is seen as Milwaukee County Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern (center facing) investigates the area. Credit: Mike De Sisti

By Ashley Luthern of the Journal Sentinel

The family and friends of Jay Anderson, who was shot and killed by a Wauwatosa police officer, are calling for a comprehensive investigation into his death.

Anderson, 25, was shot about 3a.m. Thursday at Madison Park.

"If it was just him being in the park, how did it go so wrong so fast?" Shawn Moore, a family friend, said Saturday.

Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber provided initial information on Thursday at the scene, saying officers were investigating a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot and saw it was occupied by a person with a gun.

The officer "fearing for his safety discharged his own weapon striking that person," Weber said.

Wauwatosa police referred the case to Milwaukee police to fulfill a state law that requires a team of at least two investigators from an outside agency to lead investigations of officer-involved deaths.

Wauwatosa and Milwaukee police have not released further information about the shooting death since Thursday. Anderson was identified publicly by his family and friends.

Moore and others gathered at the park, 9800 W. Glendale Ave., Friday evening to call for a thorough investigation into the death of Anderson, who leaves behind a fiancée and a young son and daughter.

"They want to see the dashcam, first and foremost," Moore said. "That should shed some light on what took place and how it got so out of hand so fast."

Family members said Anderson often fell asleep near the park, which was a peaceful place, Moore said.

"If he's asleep and he was startled and he reached for a gun and (an officer) shot him, there needs (to be) some accountability on this from the Wauwatosa Police Department," Moore said.

Moore grew up with Anderson's dad, and he said the father and son had just started their own landscaping and lawn service company. Anderson also was planning a Fourth of July party to celebrate his birthday, Moore said.

"This kid had a lot to live for," Moore said. "He wasn't out here carjacking, he's never been to prison. We want some answers and justice."