Walworth Co. deputy cleared of wrongdoing in fatal shooting

Alfredo Villarreal



TOWN OF GENEVA (WITI) -- The Walworth County Sheriff's Department released on Friday, March 22nd a full report on the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of inmate Alfredo Villarreal on Monday, January 21st. It clears the deputy involved of any wrongdoing.

According to police, Villarreal was shot and killed around 6:45 p.m. after he attacked the deputy guarding him in an attempt to escape custody.

According to the report, Villarreal was booked into the Walworth County Jail around 8:37 p.m. Sunday, January 20th. Around 3:30 a.m. Villarreal was found by jail staff face-down, with a laceration to his head and bleeding slightly from the mouth.

After Villarreal regained consciousness he indicated that he collapsed while in the bathroom. Following the incident, Villarreal was transported to Aurora Lakeland Medical Center for an examination.

While at the Lakeland Medical Center Villarreal attacked the deputy guarding him in an attempt to escape custody. According to the report, Villarreal requested to used the bathroom, and was let out of his restraints.Upon returning from the restroom, Villarreal began punching and kicking the deputy in the face multiple times.

Police say the deputy deployed a taser, which failed to stop the inmate. After being tased, Villarreal used a chair to break the window in his room. When this attempt failed, Villarreal attempted to strike the deputy over the head with the chair. The deputy then discharged his handgun, striking the inmate.

According to the report, the deputy fired his weapon five times.

The autopsy revealed gunshot wounds to Villarreal's torso, one tangential wound to the top of his head, and one graze wound on the third and fourth fingers of his right hand.

According to the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, life-saving measures were immediately implemented by law enforcement and medical staff. But Villarreal died at the scene.

The Walworth County Sheriff's report found that the deputy's actions were privileged as acts of defense." I believe that there is no other logical conclusion that can be drawn from the evidence other than that Deputy Lagle was attempting to prevent himself and others from being attacked with potentially deadly force and, therefore, Deputy Lagle was justified in using deadly force in response."

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