Oak Creek Police Officers Cleared Of Wrongdoing In Shooting

OAK CREEK, WI — The three Oak Creek police officers who shot at an armed robbery suspect in August 2018 have been cleared of any wrongdoing according to authorities in Milwaukee County.

According to a JSOnline report, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm released a letter to Oak Creek Police Chief Steven Anderson this week, stating that his officers lawfully used potentially lethal force when they fired several shots at suspect Vadim McCormick. The three officers who fired were Timothy Zwicke, Vincent Zamborini and Anthony McQuestion, according to the report.

Police in Oak Creek were dispatched to the Meijer Gas Station near Drexel Town Square in August 2018 for a report of an armed robbery. Police reported that a man later identified as Vadim McCormick robbed a clerk at gunpoint, and left the gas station with $160.

Video surveillance footage was released to the public later that day as police searched the area for McCormick.

According to police, an officer on patrol outside McCormick's house on the 3800 block of E. American Ave. saw his Hyundai Santa Fe pull into his driveway.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, McCormick and the woman exited the Santa Fe and were walking into the house when an Oak Creek police officer confronted them about the armed robbery earlier that day.

Police said McCormick and the woman quickly retreated into the house, leading to a standoff.

According to police, McCormick hung his arm out of one of the house's windows, and pointed a black handgun at officers, who had set up a perimeter outside.

Police reported firing one shot at McCormick. It was not known at the time whether the bullet struck him. According to the criminal complaint, during negotiations between he and police outside, the woman living with McCormick exited the house with the gun that was pointed at police, and placed it on the porch and then went back inside.

According to the criminal complaint, McCormick hung his arm out of the house again, this time pointing another gun at police. Police opened fire at McCormick, striking him once on the arm and forcing him to drop the gun. Police forced entry into the house, where he was arrested. Police reported that both of McCormick's guns were BB guns.

According to police reports, McCormick admitted he robbed the Meijer gas station armed with a black BB gun and pointed the gun at police because he did not want them to enter his house.

Police said McCormick died in his home on Sep. 16 on a report that he took his life while he was out on bond from Jail.

According to an obituary posted online, "while Vadim is best known for his kind heart and willingness to help others, for much of his life, he fought many internal battles and tragically lost his most recent one. We can only take solace in knowing that in recent years, he led a happy and productive life surrounded by people who supported him and loved him unconditionally. And now he is at peace."