Family of Shooting Victim Expresses Support for Officer

The family of 26-year-old Elijah Wilkes stated on Thursday that they believe the off-duty Milwaukee police officer who shot him during a recent traffic incident acted in self-defense. They pointed to video evidence that appears to show Wilkes striking the officer with a firearm and aiming it at him prior to the shooting.

According to police reports, the 41-year-old off-duty officer, who has served 21 years with the Milwaukee Police Department, was involved in a minor accident at approximately 8:30 a.m. on West Mill Road. Dashcam footage revealed the officer’s vehicle navigating a construction zone, during which Wilkes is seen swerving into the left lane, cutting off the officer.

At a press conference, the family’s attorney, Bivori Lamar, explained that a verbal exchange occurred between Wilkes and the officer before the collision. Following the crash, both men exited their vehicles and continued to argue, although their dialogue was not captured on the footage.

The video depicts Wilkes accusing the officer of damaging his vehicle and then pulling out a firearm, allegedly hitting the officer. Lamar commented, “The video shows him striking the officer with the firearm, which is quite clear. We believe the officer reacted in line with his training when he fired several shots.”

After the initial shots, Wilkes appears again on the other side of the car as additional shots are fired, ultimately leading to his death at the scene.

While expressing concern that officers did not administer first aid post-shooting, the family maintained their belief that the officer’s actions were justified. “I want to address what we’ve seen,” Lamar said. “This situation is tragic, but we recognize the decisions made by the police officers.”

Looking back, family members admitted that Wilkes made a grave error. His sister remarked, “He was a good person…everyone loved my brother.” His aunt, Andrea Ward, noted that the incident could have impacted anyone, suggesting, “We are all just one choice away from a bad decision.”

Latricia Bell, another aunt, emphasized that Wilkes might not have recognized the officer was armed, adding, “Regardless, the encounter would have been different.”

Milwaukee Police Department policy dictates that next of kin must be shown footage of a fatal incident within 48 hours, and that related recordings be made public within 15 days. In this instance, the police released the video ahead of schedule.

Lamar mentioned that the family’s choice to acknowledge the officer’s actions was difficult. Still, it represents their desire for accountability, transparency, and healing in a city facing persistent violence. The police department has yet to respond to requests for further comment.