Grafton shooting: Ozaukee County deputy, armed person identified
GRAFTON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Justice has identified the Ozaukee County sheriff's deputy and armed suspect involved in a Nov. 2 fatal shooting.
It happened in the town of Grafton near County Highway C and Lakefield Road, just east of I-43. The DOJ said it started around 11 a.m. deputies tried to pull over and arrest the suspect – now identified as 29-year-old Christopher Sewell – for outstanding felony warrants.
The suspect took off and led deputies on a chase, during with the DOJ said law enforcement used a tire deflation device. The fleeing vehicle came to a rest on Lakefield Road, and the driver ran into a nearby tree line followed by deputies.
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As deputies approached the suspect, the DOJ said the suspect "presented a weapon." A deputy – now identified as Michael Zilke – then shot the suspect, killing them. DOJ said Zilke has eight years of law enforcement experience.
Lifesaving measures were attempted, but the suspect died at the scene. Investigators recovered a gun from the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured. The involved deputies were wearing body cameras during the incident, and the deputy who shot the suspect has been placed on administrative assignment, per agency policy.
Christopher Sewell
Family ‘in the dark’
Christopher Sewell's family spoke to FOX6 News Tuesday – the same day the DOJ identified him as the person involved. They said they never got information directly from investigators – and the only updates they've had are what they've heard from FOX6.
"We are left in the dark," said Thomas Sewell, Christopher's father.
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"I won’t be able to see his smile again. Or hear him say, ‘Mom, what are you doing?’" said Stephanie Monighan, Sewell's mother.
Monighan said Christopher loved his family and that law enforcement officers "just want to come out and shoot somebody."
"He was always outspoken. Very outspoken. I talked to my son for the last time. He told me, ‘Daddy, I’m going to help you move.’ He told me he was on the way," said Thomas.
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
Christopher has been convicted of several felony charges over the years. The family said Christopher's criminal history doesn't change their love for him – or make their grief any easier.
"If you read his file, it would tell a whole lot about him. I guarantee that for a fact," said Thomas.
"That’s still my son, and you took a life," said Monighan. "We just think something shiesty is going on with that little, small community."
FOX6 reached out to DOJ for comment on this story. A spokesperson issued the following statement:
"Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) works expeditiously to complete all investigations and strives to release information of public interest when it will not impact the integrity of the investigation.
"When DCI is the lead investigating agency for an officer involved death incident, DCI aims to provide reports of the incident to the prosecutor within 30 days. The prosecutor then reviews the report and makes a determination about what charges, if any, are appropriate. If the prosecutor determines there is no basis for prosecution of the law enforcement officer, DCI will thereafter make the report available to the public."