The State Justice Department is leading an investigation into Thursday night’s fatal shooting by police of a 26-year-old Walworth County man.
A press release issued Friday morning by Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell and Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen say Kris Kristl, of Lake Geneva was shot at approximately 7:46 p.m. Thursday.
The document says police were investigating a reckless driving complaint.
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Two members of law enforcement, a deputy with two years in the Walworth Sheriff’s Department and an officer with eight years on the Elkhorn police force, have been placed on administrative duty, which is standard practice after an officer-involved shooting. The Wisconsin Department of Justice declined comment on leading the investigation of the case.
State law requires an outside law enforcement agency to take over police shooting probes. The Janesville Gazette reports it’s the third officer-involved shooting in Walworth County in two years. In both previous cases, the Walworth County District Attorney decided the use of deadly force was justified.
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