DOJ investigating after Fond du Lac authorities shoot, kill man holding a BB gun
The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating after a 26-year-old man was shot and killed by a Fond du Lac sheriff's sergeant, who believed the man had a firearm, but was actually holding a BB gun, according to authorities.
According to the state's DOJ, Jesus Armando Mendez Berry contacted the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 24 to report he had a felony warrant for his arrest and wished to turn himself in. Authorities also received a call from a citizen who reported a person matching Mendez Berry's description displaying what a caller described as a handgun in his waistband, a statement from the DOJ says.
Deputies located Mendez Berry in the 6300 block of Cherrywood Drive in the town of Fond du Lac a short time later, officials said.
Mendez Berry refused to follow repeated commands to show deputies both of his hands and one of the deputies fired a non-lethal weapon, like a stun gun, according to the DOJ.
"Shortly after, Mr. Mendez Berry was holding what deputies believed to be a firearm," the DOJ said. Then Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Andrew Kohlmann discharged his gun at 6:22 p.m., striking Mendez Berry, according to the DOJ.
But following a scene examination, it was determined that Mendez Berry was holding a Gamo 430 CO2 Pellet/BB handgun, authorities said.
Mendez Berry was transported to a nearby hospital where he died, the DOJ said.
Kohlmann has eight years of law enforcement experience. He has been placed on administrative assignment, per policy.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fond du Lac authorities shot, killed man holding a BB gun, DOJ says
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