Autopsy Released Of Man Shot By Milwaukee Police

Gunshot Findings Match Police Account, Medical Examiner Says

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The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office released details Thursday of the autopsy of the 23-year-old man killed by a police officer in Milwaukee last Saturday.

City Police Department officials say Sylville Smith was shot and killed when he ran from a traffic stop Saturday afternoon while armed. The department says the officer opened fire when Smith turned toward him.

In a tweet, the medical examiner confirmed Smith’s autopsy showed he received one gunshot to the chest and one to his right arm, which would be consistent with Smith facing the officer when he was shot. Police say Smith was still holding his gun when the officer fired.

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Both Smith and the officer who shot him were African-American and both lived in the surrounding community, where the shooting set off two nights of protests and rioting.

The state Department of Justice is investigating the shooting and has yet to release body camera video of the encounter.