Barnes, DOJ: Madison officer shoots fleeing suspect who allegedly fired first

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The state Dept. of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation has taken over an investigation after a member of the Madison Police Dept. shot a suspect who allegedly fired at them while trying to flee from officers, MPD Chief Shon Barnes said.

In an update from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, it states that MPD was staging around 12:30 p.m. in the area near Northport Drive and Dryden Drive as part of an armed robbery investigation. Barnes noted this is a few blocks east of Warner Park.

The armed suspect then allegedly jumped off of a balcony and began firing at police. The DOJ states that it was then that multiple officers shot at the subject.

The man was taken to a local hospital for the treatment of gunshot wounds and is expected to survive, officials report. No law enforcement or first responders were injured during the shooting.

The officers who were involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, which is the department’s policy during critical incidents.

“This is sometimes the dangerous reality of police work to ensure that our community is safe,” Chief Barnes said. “Sometimes that means encountering people with nefarious intentions.”

According to police, the suspect tried to escape by leaping from an upper floor unit and running. As he fled, the suspect allegedly shot at the officers, who fired back and hit him.

Barnes said the man, whose name has not been released, was conscious when he was taken to UW Health for treatment.

“It’s just fortunate that no innocent persons were hurt during this incident,” Chief Barnes said. “Our officers work really really well together to ensure that this incident came to a swift conclusion.”

The DOJ noted there is no danger to the public at this time.

The DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Wisconsin State Crime Lab.

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