Bodycam video: Milwaukee police shooting near 37th and Wright

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Police Department on Wednesday released footage from the fatal officer-involved shooting that happened near 37th and Wright.

Bodycam video

What it shows:

MPD posted video from the critical incident on its YouTube channel. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

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The video starts with the officer in a squad during a police chase that preceded the shooting. The officer then gets out of the squad and runs after a suspect, since identified as 23-year-old Printis Smith, giving two orders to get on the ground.

It took the officer roughly 30 seconds to catch up to Smith. The officer then grabbed Smith while ordering him to the ground a third. The video then goes black and the audio becomes muffled as the two come into close contact. After that point, Smith is seen motionless on the ground with a gun in his hand.

Milwaukee Police Association statement

What they're saying:

"It does not get much clearer than this. Now that the Milwaukee Police Department has just released the body-worn camera video from the Officer-Involved shooting on Sept 8, 2026, the public can see what I saw."

"The video shows Printis Smith fleeing with a handgun, disregarding repeated commands to get on the ground and struggling with an officer at point-blank range. The image below shows the gun in Smith’s hand and his finger on the trigger while the officer continues giving commands. As the video continues, you will see Smith pull the trigger."

"The family’s attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, publicly called this an "execution" even though he had not personally viewed the video."

"The evidence now belongs to the public. It shows a Milwaukee police officer fighting for his life. This officer pursued an armed man, repeatedly gave him the opportunity to surrender and confronted an immediate deadly threat to protect the surrounding community. He demonstrated extraordinary courage, and we came frighteningly close to mourning another Milwaukee police officer."

"Mr. LaMarr can now watch the same video as everyone else. We will wait to see whether he corrects the public record."

-Alexander Ayala, President, Milwaukee Police Association

Interview with MPA President Alex Ayala

What they're saying:

Interview with Attorney B'Ivory LaMarr

What they're saying:

Shots fired, police chase

The backstory:

On Sept. 8, Milwaukee police officers were on patrol near 39th and Meinecke when they saw a vehicle that matched the description of one wanted in connection to a Glendale shots-fired investigation. Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver took off, leading to a brief chase that ended near 37th and Wright.

Two suspects got out and ran, but one of them ultimately got away. MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman said an officer ran after and repeatedly ordered the other suspect to the ground, but the suspect refused, and the two exchanged gunfire.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the suspect, who died at the scene, as 23-year-old Printis Smith. The suspect had one gun in his hand and one in his waistband, according to police. Another gun was found in the vehicle.

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Norman identified the officer who shot the suspect as a 35-year-old man with more than three years of service. He was taken to a hospital with a non-fatal injury and was released. The officer was placed on administrative duty after the shooting, which is routine.

Crime and Public SafetyMilwaukee Police DepartmentNewsMilwaukee