DA Rules Fatal Shooting By Crandon Officer Is Justified

A Crandon police officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing in a fatal shooting in the city Oct. 22.

Forest County District Attorney Charles Simono says the shooting of robbery suspect Dexter Baxter by Officer Ryan Wilson was “a reasonable use of force in an act of self-defense.”

His investigation indicates Wilson pulled over a vehicle with Baxter in the passenger seat, after reports that Baxter had stolen a television set as collateral in a drug deal. When Wilson ordered Baxter out of the car, Baxter resisted, and Wilson was unable to reach his Taser or his pepper spray, according to Simono.

A Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation report said Wilson shot Baxter three times after a struggle that lasted 1 minute and 41 seconds, during which Baxter choked the officer almost to unconsciousness, gouged his eyes and attempted to grab his gun.

After the shooting, EMS witnesses said the officer’s face was bloodied and his vision was impaired, because in Wilson’s words, Baxter’s fingers were “knuckle deep” in his eye sockets.

Simono said Wilson reasonably believed he was in danger of “death or great bodily harm.”

His report indicates Baxter was legally drunk, and tested positive for cocaine, methamphetamines and an active ingredient in marijuana.

Simono said he reached his conclusion based on witness statements, medical reports, audio and video recordings that included squad and body cameras, and the DCI report.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, with original reporting by WPR.