Wauwatosa officers return to work after weeks of administrative leave following shooting death
Law enforcement officials investigate a fatal officer involved shooting in the 8500 block of Glencoe Circle late Thursday, July 15. Photo by Peter Zuzga.
Two police officers placed on administrative leave following the death of 29-year-old Antonio A. Gonzales in July are back at work.
Gonzales was killed by police July 16 at 8533 Glencoe Circle, where he was a tenant, after he was seen carrying a sword.
Police Chief Barry Weber said during a news conference July 17 that police made "numerous commands" for Gonzales to put down his weapon, but he refused. The officers ultimately discharged their service handguns, striking Gonzales, Weber said.
Two patrol officers — one age 34 with about six years of police experience and the other 25 years old with about three years experience — were subsequently put on leave following the incident.
The two patrol officers officially returned to work Aug. 25, said Lt. Brian Zalewski of the Wauwatosa Police Department. Zalewski said there's no plan to release the names of the officers.
By state law, fatal officer-involved shootings must be investigated by outside agencies.
Zalewski said the Milwaukee Police Department was the lead investigating agency on the case. The case has been passed on to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office for review, he said.
The district attorney's office confirmed they received the case. The office plans to meet with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office and Gonzales' family later this month.
During the July news conference, Weber said he thought the officers handled the situation properly.
"I believe our officers were confronted with a very dangerous situation, and although it is very early in the investigation, it appears that they acted with courage and conducted themselves properly," Weber said at the news conference.
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