Recently, the parents of a man killed by Wauwatosa officers were allowed to view just 20 seconds of captured footage. That day, the DA office allowed them to view their son dying–and only that. Still, despite an emotionally traumatizing showing, they demand to see what led up to that point. Until then, sporadic protests continue in Tosa until WPD discloses details, and takes responsibility.
At just 25 years old, Jay Anderson died at the hands of a Wauwatosa officer at around 3am. Close to nothing is known on the incident including the name and rank of the officer involved. Initial reports indicate an officer approached Anderson’s car after deeming it “suspicious”. At some point, the officer felt Anderson had a gun and fired an unknown number of shots into the car.
Jay Anderson left behind a fiancé’, Starkeisha Delarosa, said he was a good father for her children. Delarosa is protesting herself, “I will protest every day to get justice for both of my kids.” “The family wants the whole video”, she proclaimed, ABC reports, “from he time he approached the park, to the time he left.”
Although WPD Chief Barry Weber gave reporters the narrative on the scene, he hadn’t spoken to the officer. Weber also didn’t know why the officer became afraid, and no context has since been provided. A day later, Wauwatosa police officials stated no press conference would be held.
Freedom Of Information Act requests filed by CopBlock contributors were denied by WPD Sgt. Jack Morrison. Sgt. Morrison confirmed the department “has been in recipient of a number of FOIA requests”, in his emailed responses. A formal denial was requested, which Morrison sent, and is now attached to this article.
Tosa PD’s silence, in fact, kicked off peaceful protests of varied sizes across the normally mundane suburb. Although protests annoyed some residents, it greatly broadened awareness of the killing. During the first march–which swelled to a couple hundred people–Wauwatosa officers blocked off roads for marchers who continued into Mayfair Mall.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
WPD and other authorities stormed the mall in SWAT gear, though no physical confrontation occurred. Given initial protests occurred on the heels of the Dallas massacre, added security is understandable. Anderson’s family took center stage in the marches, calling for disclosure of shooting details.Wauwatosa PD asserts that the ongoing, Milwaukee PD handled investigation means details must be withheld.
After the second march, Tosa PD announced it wouldn’t release dash cam footage of the Anderson killing. At the time, WPD claimed Anderson’s family requested this, Patch reports. That’s unusual, given the Anderson’s were simultaneously amongst protests calling for immediate, total disclosure. WPD said, once the investigation is complete, it will make all materials related to the case publically available.
Protests have even spilled into the Milwaukee DA’s office , Milwaukee Journal Sentinal reports. About 30 activists choked the office of DA John Chrisholm, Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) amongst them. At the time, Chrisholm claimed not all the details and materials had arrived to him from MPD. This is also unusual, as Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the DA had received the “final investigative report” days earlier.
Marches sometimes include as few as 10 or as many as 50, and have recently taken to temporarily blocking traffic. Wauwatosa officials claimed they’d begin arresting protesters, though this hasn’t yet occurred. Though officers are never far, activists continue to work unimpeded. Other groups, such as the Black Panthers, have frequented Jay Anderson marches in growing frequency. Though representatives have called for justice, it’s unknown how aligned with the Anderson’s they are.
Parents Jay Anderson Sr. and Linda Anderson met with the DA and lawyers to discuss the investigation and evidence. During their stay, the Anderson’s were allowed to view just 20 seconds of the officers footage showing Jay die. Though traumatizing, the Andersons continue to demand to see the entire captured incident. Apparently, ABC reports, the full video isn’t available. Activists and loved ones want to know what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting. Was it justified, and if not, was it a mistake or something worse?
Only Mr. Anderson could bare those 20 seconds, saying “it’s really something you need to get counseling for.” While Tosa PD maintains silence, the Andersons offered a reason why Jay was in the park that night. According to ABC Wisconsin, Jay often went to Madison Park to relax. His parents assert Jay was simply sleeping in his car the night he was shot by the unidentified Tosa officer. Mr. Anderson, who watched the clip several times, said “he didn’t have a weapon in his hand.” The Anderson’s were allegedly informed that a weapon was “in the back seat”, Mr. Anderson recalls.
It’s unknown how exactly the footage was taken, as the DA office claimed no squad car video exists. Tosa PD stated previously and more recently that it believes dash footage does exist. So far, it’s unknown if this is involved with if the DA actually received all the evidence from MPD’s investigation. Until the public is satisfied, marches continue alongside the Anderson family’s grieving.
Wauwatosa PD formal FOIA denial via Sgt. Jack Morrison
Confirmed: Footage Of Wauwatosa Shooting Exists, Police Silence Deepens is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights