Jay Anderson Case Now in Milwaukee D.A.'s Hands; Video Footage Will Not be Released ... Yet

WAUWATOSA -- Those interested in learning more about the Jay Anderson case - including video from the reported incident - are going to have to wait a little longer.

This is the news from the Wauwatosa Police Department Friday afternoon, after the department declined to release their video footage recorded from the officer's squad video camera, citing the Anderson family's wishes and an investigation by the Milwaukee County D.A.

Jay Anderson, 25, was fatally shot and killed by a Wauwatosa Police officer on June 23, after the officer reportedly saw Anderson had a gun in his possession. The officer feared for his safety during the course of the incident, police said.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to review the case, and on Friday said they determined that the content of the squad video of the incident was no longer critical to their findings and conclusions, and left it up to Wauwatosa's discretion whether to release the footage.

"The Anderson family wishes the video not be released at this time," Wauwatosa Police said in a news release issued Friday afternoon. "When all reports are complete and the findings have been determined, our department will make available every report submitted on this incident, which may include the video and audio recordings."

The Incident

Anderson, 25, was fatally shot at Madison Park in Wauwatosa overnight on June 23.

According to a WTMJ report later that morning, Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber said the officer responded to a suspicious vehicle parked outside Madison Park at about 3 a.m.

The WTMJ report says the officer encountered Anderson in possession of a gun inside the vehicle. At some point, the chief said, the officer feared for his safety and fired his gun.

According to a FOX 6 report, authorities had set up a perimeter around Madison Park -- and the vehicle could be seen in the parking lot with a shattered rear window. There were about a dozen evidence marks surrounding that vehicle.

The Protests
Loved ones marched outside the Wauwatosa police department, outside of Mayfair Mall and also in Red Arrow Park Milwaukee in early July, calling for an investigation in to Anderson's death.

At times, exhanges between protestors and law enforcement became heated. The common theme of those who participated was "Justice for Jay."

Dozens rally in Milwaukee following the officer-involved shooting of Jay Anderson in Wauwatosa @WISN12News at 5 pic.twitter.com/KV1KuZMyAZ
— Terry Sater (@noozdude1) July" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/noozdude1/... 11, 2016

"We're putting everybody on notice. Politicians, the DA, the Wauwatosa Police Department that were not going to tolerate any more innocent killing of our children," explained King Rick, Black Panthers, according to a WTMJ report outside of Mayfair Mall in early July.

"That's what I need. When your son's been murdered that's what you need, support," said Jay Anderson Senior, the victim's father, according to the WTMJ report.

"We need answers:" Loved ones of Jay Anderson march near Wauwatosa PD after officer-involved shooting https://t.co/MwsIzlnJF4 via @fox6now
— HTOWN BEAUTY (@candi_kizzez) July" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/candi_kizz... 13, 2016

The Investigation

Because the case involved an officer-involved shooting, the investigation was handled by the Milwaukee Police department and is being reviewed by the district attorney's office. The officer involved was put on administrative leave, as a matter of departmental policy.

Over the course of the approximately month-long investigation, District Attorney John Chisholm and Deputy Chief District Attorney Kent Lovern met with members of the Anderson family, their legal representatives and shared with them all the evidence collected by the Milwaukee Police Department.

Among the evidence shared were recordings of officer dispatches, video of the incident, and all reports by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner and Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory.

image credit: nigeria teller, via Twitter