The family of 26-year-old Elijah Wilks, who was fatally shot by an off-duty Milwaukee police officer Thursday, acknowledged during a press conference Friday that the officer’s actions were justified based on the circumstances.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the family reviewed video footage of the incident, which showed Wilks slapping the off-duty officer and brandishing a firearm following a minor car accident. Wilks allegedly pointed the weapon at the officer, prompting the fatal shooting.
The officer, a 40-year-old with 20 years on the force, was not on duty at the time but responded immediately to the apparent threat. Local station FOX 6 Now confirmed the officer’s identity and years of service, though his name has not been publicly released.
Wilks’ aunt, after watching the video, said, “He made a decision that he should not have made, and that is just something we have to live with.” She described Wilks as a loved family member—“a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew”—but acknowledged his role in escalating the incident.
The family’s attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, also publicly affirmed the legitimacy of the officer’s use of force. “We will acknowledge that we believe this officer-involved shooting was justified,” LaMarr stated. “We acknowledge that [Wilks] made a bad decision… and unfortunately it came with dire consequences.”
The incident comes amid ongoing national debate over police use of force, but the Wilks family’s response stands out in its recognition of personal accountability and the legal justification of the officer’s actions. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing.
