MILWAUKEE _ The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation has finished its investigation into the fatal police shooting of Sylville Smith, Attorney General Brad Schimel announced Friday.
The investigative report and accompanying evidence, including two body-camera videos, have been sent to Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, who will decide whether to issue criminal charges against the officer, Schimel said in a news release.
The reports and the audio, video and photo evidence were not made public Friday, which was consistent with earlier statements from Schimel.
The state Justice Department will publish the reports and digital evidence on its website if Chisholm does not issue criminal charges or when Chisholm determines they are no longer material to any ongoing criminal proceedings, according to Schimel's news release.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office confirmed it received the investigative file Friday afternoon.
"Our office will begin the review of this matter, conduct any follow-up investigation we deem appropriate and necessary, and consult with the family of Mr. Smith, in order to make a decision as soon as practicable," Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said in an email.
According to preliminary information provided by city officials, Smith, 23, was shot when he ran from a traffic stop about 3:30 p.m. Aug. 13. Police Chief Edward Flynn has said body-camera footage shows Smith was armed and turning toward Officer Dominique Heaggan, 24, who then opened fire. Unlike other controversial police shootings around the country, both the officer and the suspect were black.
The fatal police shooting touched off two nights of violent unrest in the Sherman Park neighborhood, which many observers said had its roots in decades of systematic problems including segregation and poverty.
During those two nights, eight businesses were torched, at least six squad cars were damaged, at least four officers were injured and two teens were wounded in separate shootings. Three people have been charged in connection with looting at a liquor store. Authorities estimate the damage at several millions of dollars.
