Cops Kill 19 Year Old After Receiving Traffic Complaint; Protesters Gather in Madison

Madison Police Chief Mike Koval says an officer shot and killed a 19-year old black man after a struggle in a home on Williamson St.

A large crowd gather at the scene of the shooting late Friday evening but has since dispersed, with many relocating to the City-County building in downtown Madison, site of the Madison Police Department Central District.

“In light of so much things that have happened not just across the country, but in our own community, it’s understandable that the reaction at the scene and of some of our citizens is extremely volatile, emotional and upsetting. And we understand that. That’s absolutely appropriate under these circumstances,” Chief Koval said. “We would urge, obviously, that everyone exercise restraint, calm and allow the Division of Criminal Investigation(DCI) to conduct their affairs.”

Wisconsin law requires an outside agency investigate officer-involved shooting cases. DCI is in charge of this investigation.

Madison Police are not identifying the victim, but 27 News interviewed his mother, Andrea Irwin, who identified him as Tony Robinson. Irwin says she’s desperate for answers.

“My son has never been a violent person,” Irwin said. “And to die in such a violent, violent way, it baffles me.”

Irwin says she was pleased to see protestors gathering at the scene demanding answers, but says she does not want the violence that occurred in Ferguson.

“I hope not, not to the extent of the vandalism and the crimes that took place and the physical violence, I don’t want that,” Irwin said. “But do I hope that this whole city stands up and turns around and says that this is not ok and we’re not gonna take that? Absolutely.”
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Chief Koval said it’s not clear if Robinson had any sort of weapon.

“Initial findings at the scene did not reflect a gun or anything of that nature that would have been used by the subject,” he said.

When asked about the number of shots, Koval said he thinks it’s safe to say there was more than one shot fired.

The officer was knocked down by a blow to the head. He was taken to the hospital, where he was expected to be treated and released.

Koval said the first officer responded around 6:30 p.m. to call of a man dodging in and out of traffic.

“Before we arrived, the call was updated by another complaintant who indicated that this same subject was responsible for a battery,” Koval said.

The chief says the officer went to the apartment he thought the man had gone into, where he thought he heard a disturbance and forced entry to the apartment.

“This same subject then assaulted my officer and in the context of mutual combat, the officer did draw his revolver and subsequently shot the subject,” Koval said

The first officer and others started CPR. The man was taken to the hospital, but died from his injuries.

Chief Koval was asked Friday night if he had a message for those who were gathering at the scene and he said, “It really adds nothing to the fact a young life was lost. In fact, it only exacerbates feelings. And I don’t know that if at the end of the day anyone benefits from anger and resentment when we don’t know all the facts.”