MILWAUKEE, WI — Authorities are investigating a deadly encounter that occurred early Thursday morning, October 9, involving an off-duty Milwaukee Police Department officer and a 26-year-old man identified as Elijah Wilks. The incident took place near North 49th Street and West Mill Road, where an apparent traffic accident led to a violent confrontation that ended in gunfire.
According to preliminary reports, the off-duty officer was on his way to work when his vehicle was rear-ended by another car. What began as a minor collision quickly escalated into a physical altercation between the two men. Sources familiar with the investigation said that during the confrontation, Wilks allegedly struck the officer with a firearm, pistol-whipping him before the officer drew his service weapon and fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Wilks.
Emergency crews and responding officers arrived shortly after 6 a.m. and found Wilks suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures by paramedics, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The off-duty officer sustained visible facial injuries consistent with being struck and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being released later in the morning. Investigators confirmed that the officer’s firearm was lawfully issued by the Milwaukee Police Department.
The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team (MAIT) has been assigned to handle the case, with the Wauwatosa Police Department serving as the lead agency to ensure an independent review. Officials have begun collecting surveillance footage from nearby businesses and interviewing witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events. The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office will review the findings to decide whether the officer’s use of force was justified under state law.
Community reaction to the incident has been a mix of shock and concern. Local leaders are calling for transparency and patience as the investigation continues. “Every detail matters,” said a Milwaukee community advocate. “We need a thorough and honest process so the public can trust the outcome. A young man has lost his life, and an officer’s actions must be examined with fairness and accountability.” The Milwaukee Police Department confirmed that the officer has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging witnesses or anyone with cellphone or dashcam footage to contact investigators. The tragic confrontation has reignited discussions about policing, self-defense, and community relations in Milwaukee — a city that has seen several high-profile use-of-force cases in recent years. Officials say more details will be released once the case review is complete.